Red Bull New York announced today that it has signed midfielder/forward Chris Karcz. Karcz, from nearby Clifton, New Jersey, was originally drafted by the Chicago Fire in the third round (27th overall) in the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft. However, a series of knee injuries limited his opportunity there. The former Rutgers University standout has visited and trained with clubs in Poland and Germany from 2005-2006 and has been with the Red Bulls as a trialist since the beginning of May.

The 24-year-old has appeared in two reserve games for the Red Bulls, playing 77 minutes and earning an assist in a 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew reserves on May 21 and scoring a goal in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City reserves on June 3, a match in which he came on in the 46th minute.

At Rutgers, Karcz was a three-time All-Big East selection (2001, 2003, 2004) and finished his Scarlet Knights career with 18 goals and 13 assists. Karcz attended Clifton High School in New Jersey, where he was a First Team All-American.