The Red Bulls finally announced the signing of defender Leo Krupnik today, although they’re still waiting for his ITC card and can’t add him until Wednesday when the transfer window opens.

“We have been tracking Leo’s progress for some time and we think he will immediately add depth and experience to our defense,” Sporting Director Jeff Agoos said of Krupnik, who came from Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Premier League.

The 29-year-old centerback made 30 starts for Maccabi Haifa this past season, helping them win their 11th league title, reach the final of the Cup of Isreal and qualify for the Champions League. Their first play-in game actually is Wednesday, the same day his transfer should go through _ and the day before the Red Bulls face David Beckham and the Galaxy.

Anyway, Krupnik _ a 2002 MetroStar player for a hot minute _ he also helped Bnei Sakhin to a solid season in 2007-08, qualifying for the UEFA Cup. I talked to him today and I’ll have a feature coming later once I’m done with some Yankee copy I’m working on.