FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution has acquired midfielder Daigo Kobayashi from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Kobayashi also signed a new MLS contract with the Revolution and will be formally added to the team’s roster upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and U.S. P-1 Visa.
Kobayashi, 31, appeared in 30 games for Vancouver in 2013, his only previous MLS season. He scored two goals and added four assists for the Whitecaps, while playing a central creative midfield role.
“Daigo is a technically-gifted player who fits into our system well,” Revolution general manager Michael Burns said. “He assimilated well with our club when he was in Tucson with us, and we are looking forward to his return to the club soon.”
Before coming to MLS in 2013, Kobayashi spent 12 seasons between Japan’s J-League (Tokyo Verde 2005, Omiya Ardija 2006-08, Shimizu S-Pulse 2011-12), Norway’s Tippeligaen (Stabaek IF 2009) and Greece’s Super League (Iraklis Thessaloniki 2009-11). He’s made more than 160 professional appearances, and has scored 21 goals while adding 14 assists. His European experience also includes matches in both UEFA Champions League and Europa League qualifying.
Kobayashi has one cap with the Japan National Team, which came on Aug. 9, 2006 in Tokyo. He is also a former member of Japan’s Under-18 squad, and in 2003, helped lead Japan to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Youth Championship (now FIFA Under-20 World Cup).
DAIGO KOBAYASHI
Pronunciation: DIE-go KOAB-ee-ah-she
Jersey Number: 16
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155 lbs.
D.O.B.: February 19, 1983 (Fuji, Japan)
Hometown: Fuji, Japan
Last Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)
Status: International
Nationality: Japan
How Acquired: Acquired via trade with Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Feb. 26, 2014, in exchange for New England’s natural fourth-round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft
