In move to add some much-needed experience to its fledgling defense, the New England Revolution signed a loan deal for veteran central defender Jose Goncalves on Thursday.
Goncalves, who arrives from Swiss Super League outfit FC Sion, has nine years of European experience on his resume.
“We’re pleased to add Jose to our squad,” Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said in a statement on Thursday. “We’ve been open about our desire to add another defender this off-season. With experience throughout Europe’s top leagues, we believe Jose will come in and be a positive addition to our club’s defense.”
The 27-year-old defender hails from Lisbon, Portugal, but moved to Switzerland with his parents when he was two. He commenced his professional career with FC Basel in 2002, and has spent the bulk of his career in Switzerland, with stops in Italy, Lithuania, Scotland and Germany along the way.
Now, with the United States as his next destination, Goncalves appears eager to continue career in an area of the country that boasts an especially dense Portuguese population.
“I’m ready to join my teammates and to start the hard work to make it a successful 2013 season,” Goncalves said. ”I also look forward connecting and to become a productive member of the New England community.”
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It is nice to see that the Revs have picked up another decent player for defence duties BUT the most important area in defence is the GOAL KEEPER lets hope they pick up a prospect or another decent goalkeeper for a THREE WAY COMPETION with Reise & Shuttleworth ????????????????
It looks like a good signing. Goncalves has the measurables to play Centerback, and he appears to come from a good soccer background growing-up in Switzerland. Not to sound negative, a concern may be that the Revs will be his 10th team since 2002. Hopefully, it’s because Goncalves was in high demand. He will bring some depth to a position that sorely needs it. I still hope, though, the Revs make CB their focus for the Superdraft, and target Zimmerman.
Not sure I’d call him a Portuguese International since he has no caps at the Senior level, only at the youth level. I’m optimistic with the signing as he’s coming from a solid club and a solid league. The Swiss league isn’t La Liga, but it’s very respectable. On the flip side, in the last year and a half he’s only played in 6 games for FC Sion which is a bit of a concern. Anyhow, I’m still optimistic on this signing and think it has a good chance of working out as he clearly sees it as an opportunity to get playing time.