The New York Red Bulls have made a significant addition to their squad by signing Cameroonian international forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to a two-year contract as a Designated Player. The 35-year-old veteran joins the MLS side after a successful four-season stint with German powerhouse Bayern Munich.
Choupo-Moting brings a wealth of experience to the Red Bulls, having played for top clubs across Europe including Stoke City in England, Paris Saint-Germain in France, and Schalke 04 in Germany before his time at Bayern. The well-traveled striker has made over 400 appearances in his club career, scoring 121 goals.
Proven Winner with Champions League Pedigree
During his time at Bayern Munich, Choupo-Moting was part of a hugely successful side that won three consecutive Bundesliga titles from 2020 to 2022. He also helped the Bavarian giants lift the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) in 2020 and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2021.
The Cameroonian’s most notable achievement came in the 2019-20 season with Paris Saint-Germain, as he was part of the squad that reached the UEFA Champions League final. Although PSG ultimately fell short against Bayern, Choupo-Moting’s experience in Europe’s premier club competition will be invaluable for the Red Bulls.
Impressive International Resume
At the international level, Choupo-Moting has been a mainstay of the Cameroon national team for over a decade. Since making his debut in 2010, the forward has earned 73 caps and scored 20 goals for the Indomitable Lions.
Choupo-Moting has represented Cameroon at three FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014, and 2022), as well as multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. His experience and leadership will be vital assets in the Red Bulls locker room.
Red Bulls’ Sporting Director Hails “Winner” Choupo-Moting
“We are excited to add a player of Maxim’s caliber to our roster,” said Red Bulls Head of Sport Jochen Schneider. “Maxim is a great player, a winner, and his experience in Europe’s top leagues will be greatly important to our club in 2025 and beyond.”
Choupo-Moting is expected to slot straight into the Red Bulls’ starting lineup as a central striker. His ability to hold up the ball, link play, and finish chances in the box should make him an ideal fit for the team’s style of play.
Injection of Goals and Experience for Red Bulls
The Red Bulls will hope that Choupo-Moting can provide a reliable source of goals as they aim to compete for the MLS Cup. The Cameroonian’s track record suggests he is more than capable of shouldering that responsibility.
- 122 goals in 463 club appearances across Europe’s top leagues
- 38 goals in 122 matches for Bayern Munich (2020-2024)
- 9 goals in 51 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain (2018-2020)
Beyond his goal-scoring ability, Choupo-Moting’s vast experience at the highest levels of the game will make him an important leader both on and off the pitch for the Red Bulls. His winning mentality from his time at clubs like Bayern and PSG should help instill a culture of success within the squad.
Choupo-Moting Joins Select Group of DPs
As a Designated Player, Choupo-Moting joins a select group of high-profile signings in MLS history. The DP rule allows clubs to sign up to three players outside their salary cap, enabling them to attract star talent from around the world.
Other notable Designated Players in MLS have included David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Lorenzo Insigne. Choupo-Moting certainly has the pedigree to make a similar impact and establish himself as one of the league’s marquee names.
A New Chapter in New York
For Choupo-Moting, the move to the New York Red Bulls represents an exciting new chapter late in his storied career. After achieving so much success in Europe, the chance to make his mark in MLS and potentially add more silverware to his collection is sure to be a motivating factor.
The Red Bulls faithful will be eagerly anticipating Choupo-Moting’s debut, hopeful that the Cameroonian striker can fire them to glory in the coming seasons. If he can replicate the form he showed during his time at Bayern and PSG, Choupo-Moting has the potential to become an MLS icon in the Big Apple.
All eyes will be on the veteran forward as he looks to make an instant impact and prove that he still has plenty to offer, even at the age of 35. The stage is set for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to write his name into New York Red Bulls and MLS folklore.
