Rafael Marquez may soon be joining Thierry Henry with the New York Red Bulls. (Omar Tores/AFP/Getty Images)Rafael Marquez was released from the final two seasons of his contract with Barcelona on Saturday in a move which allows him to join former teammate Thierry Henry with Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls.
The Spanish champions announced the agreement with Marquez, whose contract had been scheduled to run through June 2012.
Hours later, the Red Bulls scheduled a Tuesday news conference to announce the signing of a star player, without saying who it was.
Marquez didn't say where he would sign, although his talks with the Red Bulls have been common knowledge in soccer circles. The Mexico defender's release allows him to sign with New York without a transfer fee.
"We're analyzing the options that we have and we'll see what works best," Marquez said.
Since arriving from Monaco in 2003, Marquez has helped Barcelona win two Champions League titles, four Spanish league championships, a Club World Cup, European Supercup and a Copa del Rey trophy.
"One of the our team's reference points leaves Barcelona to start a new stage," president Sandro Rosell said. "Rafa Marquez has been a key player for our last two coaches, [Frank] Rijkaard and [Pep] Guardiola and it closes an extraordinary stage."
The 31-year-old Marquez said a lack of playing time last season clinched his decision.
"I could have stayed and played less but that's not my character," Marquez said. "At this moment the coach believes in other players and I thought it was the adequate moment to go."
Marquez made 242 appearances for the Catalan club.
