Red Bull Transfers Gustav Berggren to Poland, Leaves Midfield Weak
Earlier this week, Red Bull New York officially lost midfielder Gustav Berggren.
After a stellar game vs. Orlando City, the team loaned him to Europe and now faces two major issues.
First, the team is out over $1.5 million after selling Berggren for a low price.
Second, the team is out a midfielder in a section of their roster that is getting weaker as the season rolls on.
Details
Officially, Berggren was transferred to Polish Ekstraklasa side Lech Poznań for an undisclosed transfer fee. Reports say the fee was around $500,000.
In July 2025, the team bought Berggren from Raków Częstochowa for a reported transfer fee of roughly €1.8 million (about $2.1 million).
Berggren, 28, spent two seasons with the Red Bulls. He made 17 MLS appearances for the club, where he tallied two assists. Those assists came in the team’s last four games, including one in RBNY’s last match against Orlando City SC.
Prior to arriving in New York, the Swedish midfielder made 105 appearances across all competitions for Raków Czestochowa, helping the club capture its first-ever Ekstraklasa title and earning the club’s Team MVP honors during the 2024 campaign.
“We want to thank Gustav for his professionalism and commitment during his time with our club,” said Head of Sport Julian de Guzman.
“He has been a great teammate and person to have within our organization, and we wish him and his family nothing but success in the next chapter of his career.”
Another Failed Project
Berggren is yet another failed European experiment. Someone the team pays a lot for, and gets even less for. And that is if Red Bull walks away with anything.
Wiktor Bogacz
Bogacz was approached about playing with the Red Bulls in 2024. The then-20-year-old essentially went, “it’s not you, it’s me,” and decided to stay home. In early 2025, however, he joined the team for a transfer fee of roughly €2 million ($2 million).
Bogacz only appeared in 19 games for the New York Red Bulls in 2025. In that span, he only scored one goal in a 4-2 home win versus Charlotte FC. He also appeared in three US Open Cup matches and two Leagues Cup games. Additionally, he appeared twice for Red Bull II, scoring 2 goals but not playing a major role in the team’s eventual MLS NEXT Pro championship.
In the end, Bogacz could not find a consistent role with New York, despite playing on a team where offense outside of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was rare.
At the start of the 2026 season, New York loaned him back to Poland. He likely won’t return.
Alexander Hack
Hack joined as a free agent and earned a hefty salary. His annual base salary was $930,000, with guaranteed compensation of $1,031,400.
In his one season of play with the team, he was mediocre at best. Bad at worst. He made 21 MLS appearances and logged 1,357 minutes played. In his early 30s, he was slow and didn’t get consistent starts—a player earning $1M who was not a locked-in, clear-cut starter.
Despite signing a two-year deal, after management shifted, he and the team mutually agreed to terminate his contract on January 5, 2026
Part of this is New York trying with both young and old players, especially under previous leadership. But again, this team is still struggling to bring in and hold foreign talent, especially from Europe. Noah Eile is a great exception, earning the team more than $2 million when he left for England. But he is the best piece of business in a sea of mistakes.
Midfield Weakens
Consider the midfielders New York has right now.
Nehuén Benedetti, a young player still trying to find himself. Cameron Harper, coming off injuries and someone coaches don’t seem to trust. Ronald Donkor, having a great season. Adri Mehmeti, young but also having a good season with ups and downs. Jorge Ruvalcaba, more of a forward attacking midfielder. Emil Forsberg, aging but solid. Dennis Gjengaar, non-existent and playing in MLS Next Pro.
Three of these players will start games. Forsberg, Donkor, and Mehmeti. The bench and reserves are dire. If injury, suspension, or more come up, you have issues.
Red Bull losing Berggren is both bad business and bad roster management.
The team has no depth, and young Red Bull II players can’t fix this issue.
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