FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have signed defender Alexander Büttner. The 30-year-old Dutchman joins the Revolution following 12 professional seasons in the Dutch, English, Russian, and Belgian top flights, where he made more than 275 appearances across all competitions with Vitesse, Manchester United, Dynamo Moscow, and Anderlecht. Büttner will be added to the roster using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) upon receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC), and will occupy an international roster slot.
Büttner's career totals include more than 20,000 minutes played with 20 goals and 37 assists in more than 275 appearances across all competitions. He has featured extensively in UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League play, recording more than 2,000 minutes played in 28 combined appearances. His career highlights include an English Premier League title with Manchester United in the 2012-13 season, and a KNVB Cup title with Vitesse in the 2016-17 campaign.
“Alexander brings experience at the game's most competitive levels, and his skill and pedigree will make him an important asset for the club on and off the field,” Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena said.
A native of Doetinchem, Netherlands, Büttner most recently played for Dutch Eredivisie side SBV Vitesse from 2017-19, marking his second spell with the club with which he began his professional career in 2007. He registered 76 appearances across all competitions in his second stint with Vitesse, and helped the Arnhem-based outfit win the KNVB Cup for the first time in club history in 2017. In his initial tenure with Vitesse from 2007-12, the left-footed defender was a fixture in the club's lineup, recording more than 100 appearances.
Büttner signed with English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United F.C. ahead of the 2012 season. He made 13 appearances across all competitions in the 2012-13 campaign, helping the Red Devils win the Premier League title. After recording an additional 15 appearances for Manchester United in the 2013-14 season, Büttner moved to Russian Premier League side Dynamo Moscow, where he spent the next three years. In his debut season with Dynamo, he made 32 appearances across all competitions – including 12 games played in the 2014-15 UEFA Europa League as the club reached the Round of 16. Büttner completed a loan stint with Belgian First Division A side RSC Anderlecht in 2015-16 after missing the first half of the season with an injury. He registered 16 games played with Anderlecht and helped the club to a second-place finish on the league table. Büttner returned to Moscow for the 2016-17 season, but returned to Vitesse after making five appearances for Dynamo.
On the international stage, Büttner was capped seven times by the Netherlands at the youth level, making one appearance for the Under-19s and six additional appearances for the Under-20s.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution signed defender Alexander Büttner using Targeted Allocation Money, pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC), on Nov. 1, 2019.
ALEXANDER BÜTTNER
Full Name: Alexander Büttner
Pronunciation: ALEK-san-dar BOOT-ner
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 165
Hometown: Doetinchem, Netherlands
Date of Birth: Feb. 11, 1989 (Doetinchem, Netherlands)
Nationality: Netherlands
Last Club: Vitesse (NED)
Acquired: Signed using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) on Nov. 1, 2019.
