FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have acquired midfielder Carles Gil (pronounced CAR-LESS HEEL) via transfer from Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruña and signed him to a multi-year contract. Gil, a 26-year-old with experience in the English Premier League, La Liga, and La Liga 2, has joined the Revolution in preseason training in Marbella, Spain and will be added to the roster as a Designated Player upon receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
"Carles is a gifted attacking player who has competed at the highest levels in both England and Spain throughout his career," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. "His experience, technical skill, and ability to create for his teammates will add another dimension to our attack, and we look forward to welcoming him to New England."
Gil joins New England with more than 180 games of experience across all competitions through eight seasons in the top flights of England and Spain, as well Spain’s second and third tiers. The Valencia, Spain native helped lead Elche to promotion into La Liga in 2013, and contributed to Aston Villa's run to the 2015 FA Cup Final. He joins the Revolution after two-plus seasons with Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruña, where he logged more than 3,000 minutes played in 54 appearances across all competitions in La Liga and La Liga 2. The central midfielder has recorded 13 goals and 14 assists in his senior career.
Prior to joining Deportivo de La Coruña, Gil spent two seasons with Aston Villa of the English Premier League, where he registered three goals and three assists in 35 appearances across all competitions. He helped Villa reach the 2015 FA Cup Final, marking the club's first appearance in England's domestic tournament final since 2000. Gil was purchased by Aston Villa from his hometown club, Valencia CF. He made 11 appearances for Valencia across all competitions in the 2014-15 campaign, tallying one goal and one assist, before his move to England.
Gil joined Spanish second-division side Elche CF on loan from Valencia in 2012. In his debut season with Los Franjiverdes, Gil helped the club win promotion into La Liga for the first time in 25 years, contributing four goals and four assists in 31 league appearances. He spent one additional season with Elche in 2013-14, logging one goal and two assists in 35 appearances across all competitions. After graduating from Valencia's Academy, Gil began his professional career with Valencia's B Team in Spain's third tier. He scored three goals and three assists in 17 appearances before joining Elche on loan.
On the international stage, Gil made one appearance for Spain's Under-21 squad in 2015. He appeared as a substitute in Spain's UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying match against Albania and tallied an assist in the 4-0 win.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution acquired midfielder Carles Gil via transfer from Deportivo de La Coruña and signed him to a multi-year Designated Player contract, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 visa, on Jan. 30, 2019.
#22 CARLES GIL
Pronunciation: CAR-LESS HEEL
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-7
Weight: 145
Hometown: Valencia, Spain
Date of Birth: November 22, 1992 (Valencia, Spain)
Nationality: Spain
Last Club: Deportivo de La Coruña (ESP)
Acquired: Transferred from Deportivo de La Coruña and signed to a multi-year contract as a Designated Player pending receipt of his ITC and P-1 visa on Jan. 30, 2019.
