Midfielder Emil Forsberg has signed a deal to remain with Red Bull New York through the 2027 MLS sprint season before departing the club for his native Sweden, AMNY reported on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old veteran’s original three-year contract was set to expire at the conclusion of the 2026 season. First reported by Daniel Kristoffersson of Swedish outlet Sportbladet, the agreement extends Forsberg’s tenure in North America just long enough to bridge a major structural shift in American soccer.
When Forsberg made the jump across the Atlantic, he brought a decorated resume from Red Bull Leipzig of the German Bundesliga and the Swedish national team. He immediately assumed the captain’s armband in New York, netting 27 goals and tallying 18 assists across all competitions. In his debut campaign, he anchored the squad to its second-ever MLS Cup Final appearance, where they ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Report, Emil Forsberg is staying in Harrison with Red Bull New York through the MLS Sprint Season.The #RBNY captain signed a three-year deal ahead of the 2024 season, with an option for 2027. With the MLS Calendar Switch, it makes sense that the option only goes to the summer. https://t.co/pBAqZtc1df
Transitioning to a New Calendar
Extending Forsberg through the sprint season gives him a specific window to sign with a team in Sweden’s top flight, the Allsvenskan, before the start of the 2027-28 season. Major League Soccer is utilizing this compressed schedule, which runs from February to April 2027, to facilitate a transition in its annual calendar.
This upcoming shift marks the final year that the United States’ top flight will operate on a traditional spring-to-autumn schedule running from February through December. Moving forward, the league will align with the August-through-May calendar utilized by most major football leagues around the globe.
Red Bull Declines Comment on Forsberg Departure Timeline
Red Bull New York declined to comment when contacted by amNewYork regarding the reported agreement.
With the 2026 campaign winding down, Forsberg remains central to the club’s immediate on-field ambitions before his eventual departure for Allsvenskan competition once the MLS sprint calendar concludes in the spring of 2027.
