August 12, (THEWILL) – The New England Revolution have acquired Nigerian midfielder, Alhassan Yusuf, from Belgian club Royal Antwerp FC.
The 24-year-old joins the Major League Soccer (MLS) side on a contract through 2027, with a club option for 2028. Yusuf will occupy an international roster spot and is set to join the team once his visa and International Transfer Certificate are processed.
Yusuf brings considerable experience from his time in Belgium, where he won three trophies with Royal Antwerp, including the 2022/2023 Belgian Pro League championship and Belgian Cup. He also participated in the UEFA Champions League, scoring against FC Porto and providing an assist against FC Barcelona in the group stage. Prior to his stint in Belgium, Yusuf played for IFK Göteborg in Sweden, where he was named the 2019 Allsvenskan Newcomer of the Year.
Revolution Sporting Director, Curt Onalfo, praised Yusuf’s abilities, highlighting his “competitive drive, excellent vision and passing, and tenacious tackling.” Head Coach Caleb Porter added that he expects Yusuf to “quickly establish himself as an elite midfielder in Major League Soccer,” noting his qualities as a box-to-box central midfielder.
On the international stage, Yusuf has earned seven caps for the Nigerian national team since his debut in January 2024. He featured in three matches during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished as runners-up. His performances earned him recognition as a Member of the Order of the Niger, one of the country’s highest honours.
The Revolution will resume their 2024 MLS regular season on August 24, with an away match against CF Montreal. Yusuf’s arrival marks the fourth player acquisition for New England during the 2024 secondary transfer window, following the additions of Luca Langoni, Will Sands, and Tim Parker.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
