Sserwadda and Kasule begin new MLS NEXT Pro chapter with Connecticut United

Ugandan midfield exports Steven Sserwadda and Ibrahim Kasule will both line up in new colours in the 2026 season after New York Red Bulls II confirmed their season-long loans to MLS NEXT Pro newcomers Connecticut United.

 

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The switch keeps the two within the Red Bulls system but places them at the heart of an ambitious expansion project, where they are expected to bring experience, leadership and consistency as the club prepares for its maiden campaign.

For both players, the move represents more than just a change of scenery. It is an opportunity for regular minutes, greater responsibility and another important step forward in their American journey.

Sserwadda’s loan move draws the curtain on a productive four-year spell with Red Bulls II. The Kampala-born midfielder made 63 appearances, scoring four goals and registering four assists, while establishing himself as one of the team’s most reliable performers in midfield.

He joined the Red Bulls setup in 2021, first featuring in the USL Championship before transitioning to MLS NEXT Pro, a league created for the reserve teams of Major League Soccer’s member clubs. His progress also earned him two appearances with the senior New York Red Bulls side, including an appearance in a friendly against FC Barcelona.

A former KCCA FC player, Sserwadda boasts league and cup honours in Uganda and has represented the country at U-20 and U-23 levels, in addition to earning four senior international caps.

 

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Kasule, meanwhile, leaves New York as one of the most impactful players in the club’s recent history. The Buikwe-born attacker departs as Red Bulls II’s all-time leading scorer, having netted 28 goals and added 11 assists in 64 appearances across three seasons.

His outstanding 2023 campaign saw him named in the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI, pick up several Player of the Month awards, put together a seven-game scoring streak and score a memorable hat trick against Crown Legacy FC.

Those performances opened the door to senior Red Bulls opportunities and also earned him a place in Uganda’s national team, where he has featured in World Cup qualifiers.

At Connecticut United, the Ugandan duo are expected to form a key part of the club’s spine in its debut MLS NEXT Pro season, with their experience and pedigree seen as crucial in laying strong foundations for the new side. The duo will play under former Jamaica national team defender Shavar Thomas, who played over ten seasons in MLS during his playing career.