New York Red Bulls Complete Transfer of Defender Gideon Baah
February 9, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York Red Bulls News Release
HARRISON, N.J. - The New York Red Bulls have completed the transfer of Ghanaian central defender Gideon Baah from Finnish side Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi (HJK Helsinki), pending completion of his ITC and P1 Visa. Baah, 24, has experience in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, and made his international debut for Ghana last October.
"Gideon has all the characteristics we were looking for in a central defender," said Sporting Director Ali Curtis. "He fits our style of play extremely well and we are anxious to have him get started with our club."
Baah's professional career began with Asante Kotoko in the Ghana Premier League. In early 2013 he was sent on loan to FC Honka of the Veikkausliiga, the top division in Finland. After impressing in his first season, FC Honka completed the transfer of Baah in July 2013. During that season he also appeared for FC Honka in Europa League qualifying.
Baah made the move to HJK Helsinki in 2014. He appeared in four UEFA Champions League qualification matches for HJK last summer, recording one goal and one assist.
In all, Baah has made 70 appearances in the Finnish league over the last three seasons, totaling four goals and seven assists. He made 29 league appearances for Honka in 2013, 25 for HJK in 2014 and 16 appearances in the 2015 season. He won the Finnish Cup, Finland's domestic Open Cup competition, in 2014 with HJK.
He has six appearances in each the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
The 24-year-old made his senior debut for the Ghanaian national team in October 2015, in a match against Canada at RFK Stadium that also saw current Red Bull Lloyd Sam make his debut for the Black Stars.
The New York Red Bulls open the 2016 MLS regular season at home on Sunday, March 6, when Toronto FC visits Red Bull Arena. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m., with coverage on MSG Networks and Red Bulls Radio via TuneIn.
Gideon Baah
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185
Date of Birth: 10/1/1991
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Citizenship: Ghana
Previous club: HJK Helsinki
How acquired: Signed as a Discovery Signing via transfer from HJK Helsinki on February 9, 2016
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
Major League Soccer Stories from February 9, 2016
- Orlando City Unveils 2016 Away Jersey - Orlando City SC
- New England Revolution Waive Forward Sean Okoli - New England Revolution
- New York Red Bulls Complete Transfer of Defender Gideon Baah - New York Red Bulls
- Arthur Blank Issues Statement - Atlanta United FC
- Union Add Goalkeeper Matt Jones Via Loan from Portuguese Top Division - Philadelphia Union
- D.C. United Acquire 2017 Third Round Draft Pick in Exchange for Conor Doyle - D.C. United
- Sounders FC Single-Match Tickets Now on Sale to the General Public - Seattle Sounders FC
- Orlando City Individual Game Tickets Go On-Sale Today - Orlando City SC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent New York Red Bulls Stories
- Injury Updates on New York Red Bulls Homegrowns Peter Stroud, Serge Ngoma, and Roald Mitchell
- New York Red Bulls Official Club Statement
- New York Red Bulls Sign Midfielder Cameron Harper to New MLS Contract
- Red Bulls to Host 10th Annual Autism Acceptance Match Presented by Hackensack Meridian Health on Saturday, April 13 at Red Bull Arena
- Red Bull Arena Celebrates Historic Month of March