Major League Soccer side New England Revolution have announced the signing of Super Eagles combative midfielder Alhassan Yusuf on a three-year deal from Belgian club Royal Antwerp for an undisclosed fee.
The 24-year-old will fill the roster spot vacated by a player who suffered a season-ending injury. Yusuf has signed a contract through the 2027 MLS season, with a club option for 2028. He will join the team upon receiving his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate.
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Yusuf brings his exceptional skills to the Revolution after a stellar three-year stint with Royal Antwerp in the Belgian topflight. During his time with Antwerp, he won three trophies, including the 2022-23 Belgian Pro League championship and the 2022-23 Belgian Cup. In the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League, Yusuf made a significant impact, playing in all six group stage matches for Antwerp, scoring a goal in his first start against FC Porto and providing an assist against Barcelona.
Revolution Sporting Director Curt Onalfo said the franchise is excited to add a player with massive topflight experience to their squad.
“We are pleased to add an impactful player with elite European experience to our roster in Alhassan Yusuf, whose arrival makes us even stronger in the central midfield position,” Onalfo said. “Alhassan is a talented player with a title-winning experience that is at the prime of his career. His competitive drive, excellent vision and passing, and tenacious tackling will all raise the level of our team.”
Revolution manager Caleb Porter says he expects Yusuf to be an instant hit in the United States, especially with his experience with the Super Eagles and having played in the UEFA Champions League.
“With his international and Champions League experience, I expect Alhassan Yusuf to quickly establish himself as an elite midfielder in Major League Soccer,” Porter added.
“Yusuf is an athletic, box-to-box central midfielder who has all the qualities we look for in our double pivots. He is very complete on both sides of the ball and will bring ball-winning defense and verticality to our attack. Alhassan Yusuf is another addition who is in the prime of his career and has a championship pedigree.”
Although the Nigeria international is yet to arrive in the United States as he awaits his P-1 visa, he has already been assigned the No. 80 jersey.