Transfer Tracker

New England Revolution sign Homegrown midfielder Damian Rivera

Damian Rivera - New England Revolution - With Academy

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing


The New England Revolution bolstered their squad for 2020 on Friday, signing 16-year-old midfielder Damian Rivera to a Homegrown Player contract. Born in December 2002, the 16-year-old becomes the youngest current member of the first team, and the club’s second-youngest Homegrown Player signing to date.


“Of the many talented players we’ve observed in the Revolution Academy system, Damian was among the first who distinguished himself as a player with the tools needed to succeed at the professional level,” sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena said in a statement. “We look forward to seeing him continue to develop and grow with the Revolution.”


November 8, 2019

Rivera, who has also gone by the nickname “Tico”, joined the Revolution Academy ahead of the 2016-17 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season. He has since made a combined 90 appearances, including 67 starts, and scored 41 goals across the U-14, U-16, U-17, and U-19 levels.


In the current 2019-20 campaign, Rivera is pacing the U-19 side with a team-high eight goals in only eight appearances, highlighted by a four-goal outing at D.C. United on Oct. 19.


“I’m really happy for this opportunity. It’s a special moment for me to join the Revolution, the club I grew up watching in Rhode Island,” Rivera said. “The Academy program and coaches have played a huge role in helping me get to where I am now, and now I’m looking forward to preseason, elevating my game, and seeing what I can contribute to the team.”