Report: Soares En Route to Italy

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Arrivederci, AJ.

Revolution center back AJ Soares, who was voted by the media as the team’s defender of the year in 2014, has reportedly signed a deal to play for Serie A (Italy) side Hellas Verona.

The signing was reported by Jimmy Conrad of KickTV on Monday.

Congrats to @AjSoares and his agent @mikegartlan for wheeling and dealing a move to Hellas Verona and the Serie A! Buona fortuna, my friend!

— Jimmy Conrad (@JimmyConrad) December 15, 2014

The news of Soares’ departure wasn’t unexpected. Last week, a report surfaced that the four-year veteran was seeking a move overseas after his contract expired at the end of the 2014 season.

Soares played 108 games for the Revolution after he was selected sixth overall in the 2011 draft. He scored six goals during his tenure in New England.

With Soares reportedly gone, right back Andrew Farrell could be a candidate to fill the his role. The second-year defender saw action at center back at various points during the 2014 season.

The 26-year-old center back will join a familiar face at Hellas Veronas. Former Red Bulls defender Rafa Marquez currently plays for the Italian side, which sits 13th on the Serie A table with a 4-6-5 (17 points).

Soares was one of three Revolution players who entered the offseason unsigned. Brad Knighton re-signed with the club on Monday, while Teal Bunbury remains the lone player whose status remains uncertain.