Red Bulls sign Long Island native Dylan Nealis to new 3-year deal

Long Island Native Dylan Nealis will be with the Red Bulls through at least the 2027 season after signing a new three-year deal on Thursday. 

The new MLS contract comes with an option for the 2028 season for the defender, who is in the middle of his third season with the Red Bulls after being acquired from Nashville in a trade in 2021. 

“We are very excited to keep Dylan [Nealis] at the club for the long-term,” Red Bulls head of sport Jochen Schneider said in a statement. “Dylan has enjoyed a great start to the season and has showcased to be a very important member of our roster.”

Nealis has appeared in 57 MLS games for the Red Bulls since he came to New York and has played in 10 of their games this season. 

In his three seasons with the club, Nealis has five assists including one this year. 

“Dylan has been an important member of our backline this season,” Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz said. “He has proven to be a leader in our group, and we are happy to keep him on our roster for the years to come.”

Nealis is the younger brother of fellow Red Bulls defenseman Sean Nealis. 

Nealis had signed a one-year contract with the Red Bulls after the 2023 season, which had been derailed due to injury issues that popped up in June and required surgery that kept him for more than three months. 

The Massapequa native was originally selected third overall during the MLS SuperDraft in 2020 and spent stints with Inter Miami and Nashville SC.

He made 23 MLS appearances during his combined time with Miami and Nashville before arriving to the Red Bulls. 

The Red Bulls fell to Inter Miami in their last match, but had been riding a six-game unbeaten streak before that and sit in fourth in the Eastern Conference.