HARRISON, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls II announced on Monday the club had acquired defender Christopher Cragwell on loan through the end of the 2022 USL Championship season from Panamanian side Club Deportivo Árabe Unido. New York has an option to acquire Cragwell via transfer at the end of the loan period.

Cragwell has appeared at both the First Team and academy level for Club Deportivo Árabe Unido in Panama’s top flight. The 20-year-old has made 26 appearances for the club’s First Team in the Liga Panameña dating back to 2017. Cragwell started 14 matches and logged 1,275 minutes with the first team during the 2021 Clausura and was named to the league’s Team of the Week three times.

“We are excited to have Christopher join our New York Red Bulls II squad and I have no doubt he will bring a much-needed toughness and physicality to the back line,” said Red Bulls Academy Director Sean McCafferty. “Although he is young, he already has some good experience under his belt, so we look forward to having him play a big role within the group during the 2022 season.”

Cragwell was selected for the Panama U-20 National Team in 2019 and 2020 but did not log any appearances as the tournaments were suspended due to COVID-19.

“I feel very happy because this will be a very valuable opportunity in my life,” Cragwell said. “I did not expect to get in an organization as important as the Red Bulls, but thanks to my hard work and my sacrifice I have been able to get this opportunity.”