#KaKuWatch is finally over.
After nearly two months of rumors, including a spotting at JFK Airport, the Red Bulls finally made its biggest splash of the offseason, announcing they had completed the transfer of Alejandro “Kaku” Romero Gamarra from Argentina’s Huracan on Friday.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder will be the first Young Designated Player signing in club history and will also occupy an international spot on its roster.
“When we identified Kaku, he quickly became our top offseason target,” Red Bulls sporting director Denis Hamlett said in a press release. “He fits the profile of the player we are looking for: highly skilled, creative and hard-working. During our discussions, we realized that we are adding a good player and a great young man to our team. We look forward to seeing him continue to grow as part of the New York Red Bulls.”
Huracan announced that it had sold Kaku for $6.25 million in December, with the club apparently receiving 20 percent of any future sale, but the transfer wasn’t made official until two months later.
In four-and-a-half pro seasons with Huracan, Gamarra quickly became one of team’s local heroes, helping the club earn promotion to Argentina’s first division in 2015. In 95 matches, he recorded eight goals and 13 assists, including one goal and three assists over 12 matches this season.
Kaku will be expected to fill the Red Bulls’ playmaker role, which was left vacant after captain Sacha Kljestan was traded to Orlando City for Carlos Rivas and Tommy Redding last month. It’s clear that the Red Bulls expect much from Kaku, a former Argentina youth international, after they gifted him with the coveted No. 10 jersey to wear this coming season.
“He is a creative, dynamic attacker who can change the game by scoring and setting up teammates,” Red Bulls manager Jesse Marsch said. “He has an excellent grasp of the game and I think he will thrive in our style of play. He is ecstatic to be joining us and we can’t wait to get to work.”
Kaku marks the Red Bulls’ second big midfield addition this month, just two weeks after the club signed talented 18-year-old Cristian Cásseres Jr.
It remains unclear whether Kaku will feature on the Red Bulls’ CONCACAF Champions League roster, which kicks off a two-legged series against Honduran club Olimpia in the Round of 16 on Feb. 22.