New England Revolution to sign Dániel Gazdag following Columbus Crew buyout

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Revolution are finalizing a deal to sign Hungarian international attacker Dániel Gazdag following his departure from the Columbus Crew, sources confirmed Friday.

Dániel Gazdag is a 30-year-old, 5-foot-10, 168-pound midfielder from Nyíregyháza, Hungary.

A product of the youth systems at Nyíregyháza Spartacus FC and Budapest Honvéd FC, Gazdag began his professional career with Honvéd in 2013. He spent eight seasons with the Hungarian club before making the move to Major League Soccer in 2021, when he joined the Philadelphia Union as a Designated Player.

Gazdag established himself as one of MLS’ most productive attacking midfielders during his time in Philadelphia before being transferred to the Columbus Crew for $4 million in April 2025. Following the Crew’s decision to exercise a contract buyout, Gazdag now joins New England as a free agent.

Across his club career, Gazdag has made 428 appearances across all competitions, recording 112 goals and 61 assists while receiving 66 yellow cards and one red card.

At the international level, Gazdag represents Hungary and has earned 32 senior caps, recording four goals since making his international debut in 2019. He has also represented his country at major international tournaments, including UEFA Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

Bogert additionally reported that Gazdag will not occupy a Designated Player slot with New England, an important roster-building detail considering the compensation attached to his previous contract in Columbus.

Gazdag occupied a Designated Player slot with the Crew and was under contract through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028. Columbus’ decision to buy out the remainder of his contract ends his stay in Ohio less than a year and a half after his arrival.

According to the MLS Players Association’s 2026 salary release, Gazdag carried a $2,049,996 base salary and $2,647,635 in guaranteed compensation with Columbus.

The decision to bring Gazdag to New England without using a Designated Player slot allows the Revolution to add a player with an established record of high-level MLS production while preserving valuable roster flexibility.

Terms of Gazdag’s expected contract with New England, including his salary and the specific roster mechanism used to accommodate the midfielder, have not yet been disclosed.

His departure creates significant flexibility for Columbus, opening the Designated Player slot previously occupied by Gazdag as the Crew work toward another major attacking addition.

Columbus is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire former New York City FC attacking midfielder Santiago Rodríguez from Brazilian side Botafogo. Rodríguez previously recorded 24 goals and 32 assists across 112 MLS appearances before departing NYCFC.

For Columbus, the decision to buy out Gazdag represents a costly conclusion to an investment that never produced the anticipated return. The Crew committed at least $4 million to acquire the Hungarian from Philadelphia in April 2025 before signing him to a new long-term contract, only to move on less than a year and a half later.

The Revolution can now take that chance without committing the multimillion-dollar acquisition fee Columbus paid for Gazdag or using a Designated Player slot to accommodate him.

New England travels to Ohio to face the Columbus Crew on Sunday, August 30, at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Whether Gazdag’s deal will be completed in time for the midfielder to immediately face his former club remains unclear.

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(Editor’s Note: For more of Adrian Heinsohn-Roe’s photos, click on the link)

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