HARRISON, N.J. – The Red Bulls have completed the transfer of U.S. Under-20 international midfielder and Celtic FC winger Cameron Harper, the MLS club announced Friday.
Harper has signed a three-year Major League Soccer contract with an option for an additional year.
“We are delighted to welcome Cameron to our club,” Red Bulls head of sport Kevin Thelwell said in a statement. “Cameron is a sharp young talent who has been rising through the ranks of Celtic and the U.S. youth national teams. Cameron possesses mental, physical, and technical attributes that make us believe he has a bright future, and we’re pleased that he has decided to take the next step in his career with us.”
Harper, 19, has recorded one goal and one assist in three appearances with the U-20 USMNT. The Sacramento, California native made his U-20 debut Sept. 5, 2019 against Zagreb Football Federation as he helped lead the team squad to a victory with a goal. He most recently tallied an assist in a 2-0 victory over U-20 Mexican national team Jan. 16, 2020.
“I’m very happy to have Cameron join our team,” Red Bulls head coach Gerhard Struber said. “Cameron is an exciting attacking player, with athleticism and strong technical ability. He sees the field very well and can create with the ball in tight spaces. As a staff we are excited to work with Cameron and help him continue to develop his game.”
Harper signed with Celtic FC in September 2018 and has been with the U-18 Celtic side the past two seasons. After two stints on the 18-man roster in August 2020, he made his senior team debut as he earned the start in a 1-1 draw against Hibernian FC Jan. 11, 2021.
The 5-8, 175-lb. Harper began his youth career at Pateadores FC, a U.S. Soccer Development Academy team in Costa Mesa, Calif., spending three years there. He accrued a combined 68 starts in 79 appearances at midfield over the three-year span with the U-13/14, U-15/16, and U-16/17 teams. The midfielder tallied 28 goals there.
