Red Bulls sign Mexico's Marquez

The New York Red Bulls announced Monday that the team has signed 31-year-old Mexico national team captain Rafael Marquez to a multi-year contract as the club's third Designated Player along with Juan Pablo Angel and Thierry Henry.

The former Barcelona star will be officially unveiled at a press conference Tuesday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

"I am excited to be joining the Red Bulls," Marquez told the Red Bulls website. "Despite having the opportunity to fulfill my contract with Barcelona, coming to New York and playing in Major League Soccer was a chance that I could not refuse. I am completely committed to doing my very best to help the Red Bulls in their playoff push this year and compete for championships in the years to come."

Marquez has appeared for Mexico 94 times, and has captained the team since the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He spent the last seven seasons of his club career in Spain with Barcelona and was a part of four La Liga-winning championship teams (2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010).

Before joining Barcelona, Marquez played for AS Monaco in France where he was named Ligue 1 Best Defender in 2000, helping Monaco to the French title.

"Rafael has shown on the club and international level that he is one of the world's top players,'' Dietmar Beiersdorfer, head of Red Bull global soccer, said in a statement. "He has been a winner at all levels and illustrated that he is a leader both on and off the field.''