Between his on-field contributions and off-field reputation, veteran defender Ibrahim Sekagya has become a valuable commodity in short time with the New York Red Bulls.

Now, the team may be looking to create a role for him that takes advantage of his many talents.

According to several sources within New York and the league, Sekagya is being considered for a player/coach role with the club. It is an idea that was first floated under the Andy Roxburgh/Mike Petke era that has survived under the Ali Curtis/Jesse Marsch regime.

While listed as a trialist in camp, team sources tell us the Red Bulls have been reluctant to use that label on Sekagya. While technically correct, New York are motivated to find a place within the team for the Ugandan defender “that honors his role as a veteran and leader” instead of having to prove his way into the lineup.

The player/coach role would serve that end. It would be much in the same vein as the short lived signing of Kevin Hartman in 2013. The difference here would be maintaining an active role for Sekagya so that he would compete on the club; a departure from Hartman’s quiet season in Harrison.

Several team veterans have stepped up to vouch for Sekagya’s inclusion within the team. For his part, Sekagya is also said to be highly motivated to stay with the club — under any role. After all, the Ugandan defender has spent the better part of eight years under the Red Bull umbrella, spanning his time in Austria and New York. He has played leadership roles under both banners, making a player/coach transition relatively seamless.

Finding that right fit, however, remains the final hurdle, and a current drag in the CBA negotiations is certainly not helping the situation for either party.

Currently, the club counts Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Damien Perrinelle, Ronald Zubar, Armando and Matt Miazga amongst their centerback ranks. They carried five central defenders into last season’s roster; a glut by MLS standards. A dual role for Sekagya could justify his inclusion, and curry favor amongst the current base of Red Bull players desperate for his return.