Red Bulls hire ex-Norwegian int'l Soler as GM

Red Bull New York announced it has hired former Norwegian international Erik Soler as the club's new general manager and sporting director,

"Erik Soler is highly respected in the international soccer world," said Dietmar Beiersdorfer, head of Red Bull global soccer. "We are excited to appoint him as General Manager and Sporting Director. We are convinced that he has the leadership qualities and the experience in developing a soccer culture that is crucial to bringing our club to the level everybody here in New York and New Jersey expects -- to make the New York Red Bulls a winning MLS franchise."

A veteran player whose career spanned from the late 1970s to early '90s, Soler went on to become actively involved in the running of clubs once his on the field days were over. From 2002 to 2008, Soler served as the chairman and co-owner of Norwegian club IK Start, which is the current team of former Red Bulls player Hunter Freeman.

Soler's duties as GM and sporting director will include the overall management of the club, including the sports division. He'll also oversee the first team, Red Bulls Academy and the developmental programs that are in place.