UPDATE (July 5) – The New England Revolution have acquired forward Giacomo Vrioni from Italian Serie A powerhouse Juventus FC and signed the Albania national team striker to a Designated Player contract through the 2025 MLS season with an additional one-year option, the club announced Tuesday.
Vrioni, 23, helps New England offset Poland national team striker Adam Buksa being transferred to Ligue 1's RC Lens on June 7. That move, at a reported $10 million, opened a DP spot for the defending Supporters' Shield winners.
"We are pleased to announce the signing of Giacomo Vrioni to a long-term contract with the New England Revolution. Giacomo caught our eye with his recent goal-scoring success in Austria and came highly recommended by some truly outstanding people in our sport,” sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena said in a release. “I look forward to Giacomo’s arrival in New England and look forward to working with him. He is a most welcomed addition to our team."
Before coming to the Revolution, Vrioni scored 19 goals in the Austrian Bundesliga, tied for the league lead, while on loan with WSG Tirol during the 2021-22 campaign.
Born in Italy, Vrioni has been capped six times by Albania and appeared twice for Juventus' first team.
“I am excited to start this next chapter of my life and career in Boston and Major League Soccer with the New England Revolution,” Vrioni said. “I have seen many talented players come from Europe and thrive in MLS, which is why I believe this is the right time to take this step in my career. I look forward to meeting all my new teammates, coaches, and the Revolution supporters soon.”
ORIGINAL (July 1) – The New England Revolution are finalizing the signing of Albania international forward Giacomo Vrioni from Juventus for $3.8 million, a source confirms to MLSsoccer.com.
He’d be the club’s third Designated Player, joining forward Gustavo Bou and midfielder Carles Gil. The move comes after New England transferred striker Adam Buksa to Ligue 1's RC Lens earlier this summer for a reported $10 million, opening up a DP spot and the need for another attacker.
Fabrizio Romano first reported the news.
About Vrioni
Vrioni, 23, was most recently on loan with WSG Tirol in the Austrian Bundesliga, where he had 21 goals and five assists in 30 all-competition matches. He's made two appearances for Juventus in Italy's Serie A and spent time on loan with Venezia and AS Cittadella, competing in Serie B.
An Albanian international born in Italy, Vrioni has six caps with his national team. He came off the bench for their UEFA Nations League games earlier this month.
Vrioni, listed at 6-foot-2, carries a similar background to when New England acquired Buksa ahead of the 2020 campaign.
Revs moves
New England, 2021 Supporters' Shield winners, also have veteran forward Jozy Altidore and U22 Initiative winger Dylan Borrero in attack. Altidore joined this offseason following a contract buyout at Toronto FC, while Borrero arrived from Brazil's Atletico Mineiro in April.
The Revs have been busy on the transfer market in recent months, bringing in Borrero as a replacement for Canadian international Tajon Buchanan and goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic as a replacement for US international Matt Turner. Buchanan was transferred to Belgium’s Club Brugge last winter, while Turner’s now at Arsenal in England’s Premier League.
