HARRISON, N.J – Red Bulls II have signed midfielder Michael Knapp to a USL Championship contract pending federation and league approval, the club announced Friday.

Knapp, 21, played two seasons at Montclair State University, where he appeared in 35 matches and tallied three goals and seven assists.

“Michael is a former Academy player that has been on our radar for a few years now,” head coach John Wolyniec said in a statement. “He has a lot of the qualities we value in defensive midfielders, and we are excited to have him as a part of the group.”

In 2018, he was named NJAC rookie of the year and earned first team All-NJAC honors. The following season he was named NJAC midfielder of the year, after registering five assists.

“It feels really good to sign my first professional contract,” Knapp said. “I am really happy, and I cannot wait to get started.”

The Bloomfield, N.J. native played for Red Bulls Academy during the 2017-2018 season. He made 22 appearances and scored once.

Knapp spent the preseason with NYRB II at Red Bulls Training Facility, playing in scrimmages against Philadelphia Union II and Hartford Athletic.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.