Red Bulls sign pair of youth stars

[MLS HOMEGROWNS] The New York Red Bulls signed a pair of players, forward Amando Moreno and goalkeeper Santiago Castano, from their academy program, becoming their sixth and seventh academy products to sign with New York’s first team via the MLS homegrown playerrule.

“Both of these players have trained with the first team during the past year and they impressed our technical staff,” said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh. “It is a priority for our club to bring young players from our academy to the first team and we want to congratulate Santiago and Amando fortaking this step.”

Moreno, 17, recently joined the U.S. under-18 national team for which he scored in both friendlies against Canada. He recorded 33 goals and 22 assists and helpedthe Red Bulls’ U-15/16s become the 2012 Development Academy champions.

Castano, 17, has been with the Red Bulls Academy since September 2008. He spent time in Bradenton, Fla., as part ofthe U-17 residency program in 2010.