Former Red Bulls trialist and one-time World Cup defender Tony Sanneh has signed with the Colorado Rapids. The Chicago Fire will receive Colorado’s natural fourth round selection of the 2009 SuperDraft, the Rapids announced Wednesday.
Sanneh, who worked out with the Red Bulls, and played briefly for the Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division recently, will be eligible to play in Colorado’s game against New England Thursday.
It is not known whether a trade will be worked out between the Red Bulls and Rapids.
“We are very happy to add a national team and World Cup veteran like Tony to our team,” Rapids oach Fernando Clavijo said. “He will add needed depth to the center of our back line.”
After winning a pair of MLS Cups with D.C., Sanneh went to Germany to play for Hertha Berlin of the Bundesliga. He transferred to FC Nuremberg in 2001 but after three injury-plagued seasons, Sanneh returned to the United States to play for the Columbus Crew. He was traded to the Fire for Ante Razov and a partial allocation in 2005. He didn’t have his contract renewed following the 2006 season.
Sanneh has made 43 appearances for the U.S. National Team and was one of the best American players at the 2002 World Cup, serving the cross to Brian McBride for the first goal against Portugal in the Americans' 3-2 World Cup opening win.
