FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have signed 2021 UnitedHealthcare Revolution Academy Player of the Year Noel Buck to a Homegrown Player contract through the 2025 MLS season with an additional one-year club option.
The Arlington, Mass. native, who has been developing in the Revolution Academy sine age 12, becomes the eighth Revolution Academy product to ascend to the first team roster. Born in April 2005, the 16-year-old becomes the youngest active member of the Revolution’s MLS roster, and the club’s second-youngest Homegrown Player signing to date.
“Noel Buck is a player with very good potential, and we are excited to see how he responds with the challenge of competing and contributing to the first team,” Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “We look forward to working with him in 2022.”
The Revolution Academy product signed his first professional contract with Revolution II in June 2021 and finished the season as one of two players to appear in all 28 league games. The teenager ranked second on the team with five goals and added one assist. Buck made his professional debut with Revolution II on April 10 and became the first active Revolution Academy to score a professional goal with Revolution II.
“Noel is a talented two-way central midfielder with a high ceiling. He is only 16 years old with bright future and a lot of development ahead of him. By competing on a high level every day and striving for consistency, We are confident he will find continued success as he grows within our Pro Pathway system,” Revolution Technical Director Curt Onalfo added. “We look forward to seeing Noel continue his maturation as he projects to see significant minutes with our second team this season.”
Buck joined the New England Revolution Academy in 2017 at the age of 12 and made 70 appearances across all age levels for the program. Buck totaled 12 goals at the youth level while playing as both a forward and midfielder. During the abbreviated 2020-21 MLS NEXT campaign, Buck suited up six times for the U-17s, scoring one goal and registering two assists. The 16-year-old also joined the Under-17 side during the MLS NEXT Winter Showcase in December, where he featured in three matches with one goal and one assist.
“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to sign an MLS contract with my hometown club and am grateful for the confidence of Bruce Arena, Curt Onalfo, Rob Becerra, and the entire staff have shown in me,” Buck added. “Playing in MLS for the Revolution has been a dream of mine since I joined the Revolution Academy. I want to thank all my Academy coaches and my family for their guidance and support. I look forward to competing hard this preseason.”
Buck becomes the second Revolution Academy product to sign a Homegrown Player contract with New England during the tenure of Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena, joining Damian Rivera. Only Fagundez, who signed his first professional contract at the age of 15, made the jump to the first team from the Academy a younger age than Buck.
The Revolution’s preseason training is underway as the club prepares to kick off the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League and 2022 MLS Regular Season in February. New England opens play in the 2022 SCCL Round of 16 with Leg 1 on Tuesday, Feb. 15 (6:00 p.m. ET – FOX Sports, TUDN) followed by the Leg 2 on Tuesday, Feb. 22 (6:00 p.m. ET – FOX Sports, TUDN). Both matches will be played at Gillette Stadium. The MLS Regular Season is then set to begin on Saturday, Feb. 26 with an away against the Portland Timbers.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution sign midfielder Noel Buck to a Homegrown Player contract through the 2025 MLS season with an additional one-year club option on Jan. 18, 2022.
NOEL BUCK AT A GLANCE:
- At 16, the Revolution Academy product became the club’s eighth Homegrown Player signing – the second youngest to date – in January 2022.
- Signed first professional contract with Revolution II at age 15 in June 2021.
- One of two players to appear in all 28 league matches for Revolution II in 2021, scoring five goals with one assist.
- Became the youngest goal scorer in Revolution II history and the first Academy player to score at the professional level on May 16, 2021.
- Joined Revolution Academy at age 12 and made 70 appearances across all age levels from 2017-21.
#29 NOEL BUCK
Full Name: Noel Arthur Buck
Pronunciation: NOLE
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160
Date of Birth: April 5, 2005 (Arlington, Mass.)
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.
Nationality: United States & England
Last Club: Revolution II
