According to the update, New York exercised their option to buy Jimenez and completed a permanent agreement from CD Plaza Amador on Friday. The fee was not disclosed. The same report says Jimenez has signed a two-year MLS contract running through 2027-28, with club options that could keep him in New York beyond that.
What stands out here is the pathway. Rather than bringing in a young attacker cold, Red Bulls appear to be rewarding a player who already knows the demands of the system and the expectations around the first team.
Jimenez’s case looks like a textbook Red Bulls development story. The report says much of his work has come with Red Bulls II, where he scored regularly and built momentum before getting his chance at senior level. That chance came in his first MLS start, when he reportedly scored twice in a 3-2 win over Orlando City.
De Guzman’s second line says even more about the club’s thinking: "He has embraced our playing style, continues to improve every day, and shown he is ready for the next step."
For a club that leans heavily on energy, pressing and upward mobility, that is a significant endorsement.
Now the question becomes role and repetition. One breakout night can open the door, but staying in the picture usually comes down to consistency. Head coach Michael Bradley reportedly highlighted Jimenez’s "work ethic" and "commitment in training every day" as key reasons behind the decision.
That suggests Red Bulls see more than a hot streak. They appear to see a forward who has already earned trust internally - and now has the platform to turn promise into a lasting first-team place.