New England Revolution sign midfielder Ian Harkes

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing

UPDATE (July 5) – The New England Revolution have signed central midfielder Ian Harkes through the 2023 MLS season with club options for 2024-25, the club announced Wednesday.

To acquire the 28-year-old American, New England sent D.C. United a conditional $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM) and their second-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas.

Harkes was a free agent after spending more than four seasons in the top flights of Scotland with Dundee United. He has amassed over 200 professional appearances after initially turning pro in 2017 with D.C. United.

“Ian Harkes is a welcomed addition to our team. His experience in Scotland has allowed him to grow as a player, and he will offer us depth and quality to our midfield,” Revolution sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena said in a release. “We look forward to integrating Ian into the team over the next couple of weeks.”

ORIGINAL (July 4) – The New England Revolution are acquiring former D.C. United homegrown midfielder Ian Harkes on a free transfer, according to a report from The Washington Post’s Steven Goff.

Harkes, 28, would arrive after spending four-plus seasons in Europe with Dundee United. He notched 12 goals and 12 assists in 165 matches across Scotland’s top two divisions, helping Dundee United earn promotion in 2019-20 before they got relegated this past season.

While at D.C. United, Harkes tallied 2g/2a in 33 games (26 starts) upon beginning his professional career under now-Houston Dynamo FC head coach Ben Olsen. Harkes initially signed with the Black-and-Red in 2017 after a standout career at Wake Forest University; he was named the 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy winner, an award given to college soccer’s top player.

Harkes would bolster New England’s central midfield group, which includes veterans Matt Polster and Latif Blessing, as well as rising homegrown talent Noel Buck. Tommy McNamara is also returning from injury, while Maciel is recovering from an Achilles tendon surgery he underwent in October 2022.

The move would reunite Revolution boss Bruce Arena with a member of the Harkes family, too. Arena won several trophies at D.C. United while coaching Ian’s father, John, during the league’s inaugural seasons. He later coached him with the US men’s national team, too.

The Revolution, record-setting Supporters' Shield winners in 2021, are chasing an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs return after missing out on the postseason in 2022. They're currently third in the Eastern Conference standings, chasing midseason additions as the Secondary Transfer Window (July 5 to Aug. 2) gets underway.

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