The Red Bull Column Jan 15, 2025
New Signings on the horizon as John Tolkin is set to leave for Germany
The New York Red Bulls are set to sell home-grown talent left-back John Tolkin to bundesliga side Holstein Kiel. According to multiple sources the Red Bulls will receive €3m plus a 20% sell-on clause for Tolkin. This deal will make Tolkin the most expensive player in Holstein Kiel’s club history.
The entire package also makes Tolkin one of the ten most expensive sales in New York Red Bulls’ history. The 22-year-old becomes the third player in that top ten to be sold to a Bundesliga club. The Red Bulls previously sold Caden Clark for 1.82m and Tyler Adams for 2.63m to partner club RB Leipzig. The current record transfer is held by Jozy Altidore, who was sold by RBNY to Villarreal for €7.3m in the 2008/09 season.
A four-time US men’s national team player, Tolkin has been pushing for a move to Europe for some time. Initially it was understood that Tolkin would be given an opportunity at one of Red Bull’s partner clubs. However a transfer to Salzburg or Leipzig never materialized. Instead, Tolkin now joins relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel. The North Germans are currently playing their first-ever season in the Bundesliga and, despite being stuck at the bottom of the table, turned some heads this week by beating Borussia Dortmund 4-2.
John Tolkin is a widely respected prospect who represented the United States at the 2024 Olympics starting in all four games. The U-23 national team reached the quarterfinals, However JMI didn’t record any notable goals or assists. Tolkin's ability to operate as a left back in a back four or a wing-back gives him the versatility to play in different systems.
The Chatham, New Jersey native has been one of the key players for New York Red Bulls for some time. Over the last two seasons JMI held down the left side of the field. He was one of the most industrious left-backs in all of MLS In 2023. That year he managed three goals and seven assists in 27 regular season games. That number dropped to two goals and three assists in 28 regular season games in 2024. Moreover Tolkin was one of the key leaders during the latest playoff run for the Red Bulls as they surprisingly reached the final, where they narrowly lost to the LA Galaxy 2-1.
Tolkin finished with 9 goals and 17 Assists in 135 games for his hometown club. JMI was known for celebrating and interacting with the fans after big wins and will certainly be missed in the locker room.
Now it is up to the Red Bulls front office to attempt to sign a replacement. Kyle Duncan will be returning from injury that kept him out for the playoffs, however this still leaves the team with little depth in that position. Rumors have New York scouting Chilean left back Marcelo Morales who is leaving Universidad de Chile after this season.
This winter window will be massive for Red Bull. Time will tell if New York can quickly find a player with the money they received from their outgoing transfers. Hopefully Johan Schneider and the front office can find a diamond in the rough that will surprise the fans and can add depth to the current roster that are currently defending eastern conference champions.
PLAYERS IN
CHOUPO-MOTING (F)
W BOGACZ (F)
A HACK (D)
RUMORED IN
D FITZ (M)
M MORALES (LB)
PLAYERS OUT
A REYES (D)
E MANOEL (F)
C BURKE (F)
A O'CONNOR (D)
J TOLKIN (LB)
RUMORED OUT
D VANZIER (F)
F CARBALLO (M)
F - Forward/Striker
W - Winger
M - Midfielder
D - Defender
LB - Left Back
RB - Right Back
