New England Revolution sign Alhassan Yusuf from Royal Antwerp F.C.

FOXBOROUGH, MA– The New England Revolution have signed Nigerian midfielder Alhassan Yusuf from Royal Antwerp F.C.

He will occupy a Designated Player Slot with the ability to be bought down to a TAM level player.

Alhassan Yusuf is a 24-year-old, 5’9, 145lb defensive midfielder from Kano, Nigeria.

At the club level, Yusuf has played 195 career games (13,802 minutes) across Sweden & Belgium. He began his career with IFK Göteborg (2018-21). In July of 2o21, Yusuf left Sweden to join Belgian side Royal Antwerp F.C (2021-24). New England will be his 3rd professional club.

Internationally, Yusuf has 6 career appearances for the Nigerian National Team at any level.

In total career numbers, the forward has contributed 6 career goals, 16 assists, along with 26 yellow cards and 0 red cards.

In regard to club honors, Yusuf was recipient of Allsvenskan Newcomer of the Year (2019), won the Svenska Cupen (2019-20), won the Belgian Pro League (2022-23), Belgian Cup (2022-23) & Belgian Super Cup (2023).

Internationally, Yusuf was a part of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Runner-Up Nigerian squad.

According to a report on August 9th by Sacha Toavolieri, of CBSSportsGolazo, BBC5Live, and LaLigaTV, he reported that New England were in advanced stages of negotiations.

Later that same day, journalist Tom Bogert of GiveMeSport had also confirmed the report that the New England Revolution were set to sign Yusuf.

On August 10th, sources confirmed to me that the deal was done and that he would be announced in the coming days.

On August 12th, he was announced by the club.

The club announced that Yusuf was signed using the season ending injury replacement mechanism. (Tomás Chancalay’s spot) for an undisclosed fee. It is reported that the fee was north of $2,500,000.

Yusuf, a TAM-eligible player, will occupy an international roster spot and is signed through the 2027 Major League Soccer season, with a club option for 2028. Yusuf will join the Revolution pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

This is New England’s second signing & fourth player acquired during the Secondary MLS Transfer Window.

They are still able to make signings until Wednesday, August 14th.

The New England Revolution (7-2-14, 23 pts.) head out to the Montréal, Canada where they are set to face MLS Eastern Conference side CF Montréal (6-9-10, 27 pts.) on Saturday, August 24th. The match kicks off in Stadium Saputo at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.