Record transfer for Red Bulls

U.S. National Team centerback Tim Ream was granted his work permit yesterday and will complete a transfer from the Red Bulls to EPL side Bolton. The sale — expected to be between $2.75 million and $3 million — will be the biggest for a defender in MLS history and serve as the precursor for the likely acquisition of Wilman Conde.

The sale of Ream would add him to a distinguished list of players sold by New York, including Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore. And while one has to wonder if 19-year-old Juan Agudelo is next — drawing interest from both the Bundesliga and EPL— now the Red Bulls’ concern is bolstering their back line.

This leaves them with holdover Stephen Keel and 6-2 Swedish newcomer Markus Holgersson, who’ll join the team next weekend and accompany it to Mexico on Monday. Now the Red Bulls will have a sizable amount of allocation money from the league with which to acquire a third reliable centerback.