The New England Revolution re-signed Juan Agudelo to a multi-year contract Monday morning, ending months of speculation the forward would make another attempt at playing in Europe.
Agudelo’s previous Major League Soccer contract was set to expire at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s.
Leading to Monday’s announcement, the Revolution had shown signs they were interested in bringing him back despite rumors he was being monitored by teams in Spain and Turkey. New England protected him from the expansion draft for FC Cincinnati, which enabled the club to retain his right of first refusal in the event he transferred overseas. In doing so, the club was also forced to extend him a bona fide offer, likely equal to or greater than his previous $602,500 salary.
“I’m happy to have re-signed with the Revolution after five great seasons and I’m grateful to remain on the team,” Agudelo said in a statement released by the club. “I look forward to helping the Revolution and building off of last season. I’m excited to see my teammates next month and prepare for the 2019 season.”
Keeping Agudelo is quite an investment for the Revolution, especially since he recorded just two goals last season and never truly asserted himself as a regular contributor in head coach Brad Friedel’s high-pressing 4-3-3 formation.
That said, Agudelo is still regarded as an American striker with huge upside.
He is New England’s eighth all-time leading goal scorer, with 32 goals and 14 assists across 128 appearances since joining the Revolution in 2013. He has also totaled 187 appearances, including 111 starts, with 43 goals and 20 assists in MLS and has been capped three times by the U.S. men’s national team.
“Juan has been an integral member of our team over the last five years, and ensuring that he remained here in New England was a priority for us this offseason,” Revolution general manager Michael Burns said. “We believe his best years as a player are still ahead of him, and we look forward to seeing Juan in a Revolution jersey in 2019 and beyond.”