FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution today acquired midfielder Lee Nguyen (pronounced WIN) through the MLS Waiver Draft. He will be formally added to the team’s roster upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. Per league and club policies, further contract details were not released.
Nguyen, 25, was waived by the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday and was eligible for selection by other teams in today’s Waiver Draft. He originally signed a contract with Major League Soccer in December 2011, and Vancouver won a weighted lottery for his rights on December 15, 2011.
“Lee gives us added versatility in the attack,” General Manager Michael Burns said. “He is an effective player on either wing or up top, and he has great potential in MLS.”
Before coming to MLS, Nguyen spent several years playing in the Vietnamese V-League for Hoang Anh Gia (2009) and Becamex Binh Duong FC (2010-11). He scored 14 goals in 29 league appearances in Vietnam.
After earning national freshman of the year honors at Indiana in 2005 following a five-goal, 12-assist campaign, he was signed by Dutch giant PSV Eindhoven. After splitting time between the first team and PSV’s reserves for two seasons, Nguyen moved to Randers FC of the Danish Superliga in January 2008, where he made 23 appearances in parts of two seasons.
Nguyen signed with Hoang Anh Gia in January 2009, becoming the first American to play in the Vietnamese Super League. In the off-season between 2009 and 2010, he trained with Arsenal of the English Premier League before signing a new contract with Becamex Binh Duong FC. He left Becamex Binh Duong in the summer of 2011.
Nguyen has represented the U.S. at both youth and senior international levels. He has three caps with the U.S. National Team, all coming in 2007. He made his full international debut on June 2, 2007, coming on as a substitute in a 4-1 win over China, before making two more appearances in the 2007 Copa America in Venezuela later that summer. Nguyen also earned two caps with the U.S. Under-20 squad at the 2005 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands. He also had spells with the Under-23 and Under-18 programs.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution (MLS) – Selected M Lee Nguyen in MLS Waiver Draft.
LEE NGUYEN
Pronunciation: WIN
Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: October 7, 1986 (Richardson, Texas)
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
Height: 5-8
Weight: 150 lbs.
Previous Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS)
College: Indiana
Youth Club: Dallas Texans
Nationality: U.S. and Vietnam
Status: Senior Roster
Jersey Number: TBA
