FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have acquired forward Giacomo Vrioni (JA-co-MO vree-OWN-nee) from Italian Serie A club Juventus FC and signed the Italy native and Albania National Team striker to a Designated Player contract through the 2025 MLS season with an additional one-year club option. Vrioni, 23, will occupy New England’s third and final Designated Player slot as well as an International roster slot, pending receipt of his visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Vrioni arrives in New England after scoring 19 goals in the Austrian Bundesliga, tied for the league lead, while on loan with WSG Tirol during the 2021-22 campaign. With 17 regular season tallies and four more in Europa League Playoff and domestic cup action, Vrioni totaled 21 goals with five assists in 30 appearances across all competitions with the Austrian club. Prior to the loan spell, the San Severino Marche, Italy native made 13 appearances between the Juventus FC senior team in Serie A and Under-23 side in Serie C.
“We are pleased to announce the signing of Giacomo Vrioni to a long-term contract with the New England Revolution. Giacomo caught our eye with his recent goal-scoring success in Austria and came highly recommended by some truly outstanding people in our sport,” Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “I look forward to Giacomo’s arrival in New England and look forward to working with him. He is a most welcomed addition to our team.”
“I am excited to start this next chapter of my life and career in Boston and Major League Soccer with the New England Revolution,” Vrioni said. “I have seen many talented players come from Europe and thrive in MLS, which is why I believe this is the right time to take this step in my career. I look forward to meeting all my new teammates, coaches, and the Revolution supporters soon.”
Vrioni began his career in the youth ranks of Matelica Calcio in his home province of Marche, before stints with Italian clubs Sampdoria, Pistoiese, Venezia, and Cittadella. The striker excelled with Sampdoria Primavera (Under-19s), recording 17 goals and six assists in 50 games from 2015-17. Vrioni joined Venezia FC for the 2018-19 season, appearing 24 times in Serie B.
A dual citizen of Italy and Albania, Vrioni represented Italy’s youth national teams at the Under-18 and Under-19 levels before switching his allegiance to represent Albania. Vrioni owns six senior caps with the Albania National Team since debuting in 2018, including four UEFA Nations League appearances. His last international appearance came in a friendly against Estonia in June 2022.
Details for Vrioni’s introductory press conference will be made available soon. Vrioni will be eligible to play for New England after the MLS summer transfer window officially opens on July 7. With Vrioni set to occupy the Revolution’s third Designated Player slot, and with the forward set to turn 24 later this year, the Revolution will have only one U22 Initiative slot available, which has been filled by recently acquired midfielder Dylan Borrero.
New England (6-5-7; 25 pts.) resumes the 2022 MLS season on Saturday, July 9 when the club visits New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. The match kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET and airs nationally on Univision in Spanish, while streaming via Twitter in English. Saturday’s contest also airs locally on the radio via 98.5 The Sports Hub and 1260 AM Nossa Radio in Portuguese.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution acquired Giacomo Vrioni from Juventus FC and signed the forward as a Designated Player and International through the 2025 MLS season with an additional one-year club option, pending receipt of his visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC), on July 5, 2022.
GIACOMO VRIONI AT A GLANCE:
- 23-year-old forward transferred to New England from Juventus FC in July 2022 and signed as a Designated Player and International.
- Scored 19 goals with WSG Tirol in 2021-22 to finish as the joint-leading scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga.
- Totaled 21 goals with five assists across 30 games with WSG Tirol including domestic cup and Europa League Playoff competition.
- Scored 17 goals in 50 games with Sampdoria Primavera (U-19s) from 2015-17.
- Made two Serie A appearances with Juventus and played 11 games with the Juventus U23s.
- Owns six senior caps with the Albania National Team since senior team debut in October 2018.
- Represented Italy at the youth international level before switching allegiances to Albania in 2018.
GIACOMO VRIONI
Full Name: Giacomo Vrioni
Pronunciation: JA-co-MO vree-OWN-nee
Position: Forward
Height: 6-2
Weight: 187
Hometown: Matelica, Marche, Italy
Date of Birth: October 15, 1998 (San Severino, Marche, Italy)
Nationality: Albania & Italia
Last Club: WSG Tirol (AUT); on loan from Juventus (ITA)
Other Pro Experience: Matelica Calcio (ITA), Sampdoria (ITA), Pistoiese (ITA), Venezia (ITA), Cittadella (ITA), Juventus (ITA)
How Acquired: Transferred from Juventus FC and signed by New England as a Designated Player and International on July 5, 2022
