FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – When Ian Harkes steps out in New England Revolution colors for the first time, history will be made.
The son of former Revs midfielder and United States Men’s National Team icon John Harkes, 28-year-old Ian will become the club’s first ‘second generation’ player, donning the jersey almost 25 years after his father first did so in 1999.
Just a year old when his family moved back to the U.S. from England (where John had become a pioneer as the first American to compete in the Premier League) for the launch of Major League Soccer in 1996, Ian was three when his dad joined New England.
Born into a football-loving family – his mother Cindi also a former player – and growing up watching his father play professionally, it was no surprise the younger Harkes opted to pursue a career in the sport, though who knew that one day he would sign for the Revolution, following in his father’s footsteps?
For Ian (who returns to the States himself after a four-and-a-half year stay in Scotland with Dundee United), the prospect of becoming the club’s first father-and-son duo is a special one.
“It’s great to be back,” he smiled. “With how much time I spent here before, it’s now coming full circle.
“Virginia was always our home base, but I came up [to Boston] with my mom in the summers when we were off school. I probably lived here from June to August.
“It is surreal. I’ve been away for four-and-a-half years in Scotland. I really enjoyed it over there – it was a great challenge; my wife and I enjoyed life over there – but being from the States, we’re so happy to be back.
“I guess we’ll have to find out [what ‘Ian Harkes 2.0’ looks like] but I’m hoping I’ve added more quality to myself as a player.
“The [Revs] team have very good players, they have been doing so well this year, so I’m hoping to add anything I can to help the group, hopefully helping in midfield, and pushing on with the group.”
The move also sees the Harkes family reunited with sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena, who coached John at the University of Virginia (where Cindi also studied and played), as well as D.C. United and the USMNT, before employing his former student as his assistant coach at New York Red Bulls.
Reflecting on the signing of Ian, Arena was pleased to have bolstered his Revs roster with the capture of a versatile, technically-gifted and hard-working midfielder, adding he believes his new recruit’s spell in Scotland served to boost his physicality, adding more strings to his bow.
“I have known him [for all of his life],” the head coach said. “We were neighbors in Fairfax. John, his father, played for me at the University of Virginia; his mother went there – she was a soccer player – so we’ve known each other since the end of the ‘80s, coming close to 40 years.
“Ian is a good, solid player. He can play in a variety of positions in the center part of midfield. He’s a good athlete, he works hard; he’s an honest player, technically good, smart … He’s going to help us.
“He’s grown. The four years in Scotland helped him – you get tough there. It’s the way they play – it’s a hard-nosed league, and it’s toughened them up a little bit. We’re looking forward to seeing how he can contribute to the team.”
Harkes’ career with Dundee United saw the midfielder clock 165 appearances, and help the club to the Scottish Championship title, earning promotion back to the top flight. A fine individual 2021/22 campaign also clinched the Tangerines’ Player of the Year award, after he tallied a career-high 37 appearances and four goals.
The 28-year-old, whose senior career began with D.C. United – also one of his father’s former clubs – believes he is returning to the U.S. a better player for his experience abroad, and is eager to make an impact as the Revolution look to end an impressive campaign strongly.
“I’m extremely grateful,” Harkes continued. “The talent that’s out there, the players … It’s a very strong team, doing very well in the league.
“Bruce spoke to me a little bit. It’s a privilege to be working with him, and to have the opportunity to work with a great team like this. He’s been so successful as a coach – his long history in U.S. Soccer is tremendous.
“It was good [to play in Scotland]. It definitely hardens you as a player – the style of play is a little different: more direct, more physical. I enjoyed it; it helped me grow as a player a lot – I was 23 when I left. I’ve grown a lot, matured a lot as player … I was just out of college [when I played here] last time with D.C. United. I spent two years in the league, and I really enjoyed it.
“It was a little bit of a change in terms of the demands of the game – physically what you had to do – over in Scotland. It was a little bit of an adjustment, but I added that in quickly – you have to get up to speed or you get left behind – with the speed, playing forward quickly, trying to join up in the attack, [contributing] at both ends of the pitch … I think for the game a little bit more as a box-to-box midfielder, I want to bring energy, I want to bring quality in the final third.
“I really enjoyed my time in Scotland. I came to the end of my contract, and I felt I’d done everything I could with Dundee United. They treated me so well, they’re a great team.
“I was looking at all options. I was ready to move back and try to pursue something here. It’s a privilege to join up and help the team in any way I can.”
