With Luis Robles and the plethora of options at goalkeeper, the New York Red Bulls will not need the services of Wojciech Gajda.
The Red Bull Academy as well as the parent club, the New York Red Bulls, have found that they have an embarrassment of depth at the goaltender position. Luis Robles is embedded at this spot and with at least three others standing above 18-year old Wojciech Gajda, a change was needed. He found it at Hearts in Scotland.
18yo Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Gajda leaves United States to sign with Scottish Hearts. https://t.co/SVvZbvUy5Z
— Łukasz Kotecki (@LukaszKotecki) November 22, 2016
The Polish International made 17 starts the past two years. He was also on the bench for New York Red Bull II, a USL Champion at that level. He had committed to play for Stony Brook University in the U.S. until an opportunity appeared to play for Scottish Premier League team Hearts U-20 team as an amateur. At least until January where it is projected that he will sign a professional contract during the transfer window.
Normally one so young and good would be advised to be patient knowing he would rise up he ranks in due time. However New York Red Bulls have Robles, who broke the record for consecutive games played. In addition, there is also Ryan Meara and Kyle Renish at Red Bull II and Dominican keeper Rafael Diaz who has also emerged.
Despite a championship at that level, Gadja did not see himself as one who was in the conversation for significant playing time with the big club. Normally, this would be an excellent sign that The Red Bulls are producing a depth of professional quality players that are considered talented enough to play overseas.
Gadja may have taken as evidence the last man in goal that was signed out of the Academy, Santiago Castano, who was released this year without having made a single appearance.
The Red Bulls, like most MLS clubs, are developing more players of quality but with that comes the possibility that diamonds in the rough can get away without ever knowing how far they could have come.
Hearts does not need to compensate Red Bulls in this case so should Gajda do well, pride in the fact he once was in their program is all they will be getting out of this deal.
