FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution has signed Welsh midfielder Andy Dorman on a free transfer from England’s Crystal Palace. After playing four seasons with the Revolution from 2004 through 2007, Dorman will begin his second go-around with the Revolution when he joins the club in preseason camp in January. Already a U.S. Permanent Resident, he will officially be added to the Revolution’s 2013 roster upon the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.
The Revolution originally drafted Dorman in the fourth round (56th overall) in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft and he was a key figure in the teams that advanced to three straight MLS Cup championship matches (2005, 2006, 2007). Dorman was also an anchor on the 2007 squad that won the team’s first-ever cup championship – the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
“We’re very pleased Andy is rejoining us,” Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. “Andy was a tremendous player and a consummate professional when he was first beginning his career. Now with his experience at a very high level in Britain, we’re looking to him to provide not only an added attacking presence, but also veteran leadership on and off the field.”
In his first tenure in New England, Dorman made 112 regular-season appearances, while scoring 17 goals and adding 18 assists. In 2006, his 10 assists were the third-highest total in MLS and led the team. In the three-year span from 2005 to 2007, Dorman’s combined 15 goals and 17 assists ranked third on those Revolution squads in total attacking production, behind Taylor Twellman (44 goals, 15 assists) and Steve Ralston (11 goals, 25 assists).
Dorman returns to the Revs already ranked in the top 10 in several club career categories: tied for 10th in appearances (112), 10th in goals (17), ninth in assists (18), 10th in shots (135) and ninth in shots on goal (74).
“I’m really excited to be coming back to Boston,” Dorman said. “It was my first professional club and a place I always look back at with great memories. I owe a lot to New England, for giving me the chance to play professional soccer and the opportunity to play in the UK.
“I spoke to (head coach) Jay (Heaps) quite a lot over the past couple of months and he was a big reason I decided to come back. I was really impressed with everything he said about the team and his plans going forward,” Dorman continued.
Dorman signed with St. Mirren of the Scottish Premier League following the 2007 MLS season and made his debut on January 19, 2008, recording an assist against Motherwell. Following his arrival, Dorman scored three goals and added three assists in 18 appearances through the end of the 2007-08 season. He emerged as one of St. Mirren’s top players during the 2008-09 season, making 36 appearances while scoring 10 goals and adding four assists and garnering interest from English Premier League clubs.
After St. Mirren exercised their contract option for the 2009-10 season, Dorman replied by scoring six goals and adding eight assists in 34 appearances. He moved to English Championship side Crystal Palace ahead of the 2010-11 season, making his Championship debut in a 3-2 win against Leicester City on August 7, 2010. Dorman scored one goal and added one assist in 21 appearances spanning 15 months, before moving to League Two’s Bristol Rovers on loan in November 2011. After his loan to Bristol Rovers was extended through the end of the 2011-12 season, he scored two goals and added one assist in 25 appearances for the club before his contract with Crystal Palace came up in August 2012.
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Transaction: New England Revolution (MLS) – Signed M Andy Dorman
ANDY DORMAN
Pronunciation: DOOR-man
Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: May 1, 1982 (Chester, England)
Hometown: Flintshire, Wales
Height: 6-1
Weight: 160 lbs.
Previous Club: Bristol Rovers (ENG)
Nationality: Wales
Status: U.S. Permanent Resident
How Acquired: Signed by the Revolution on November 15, 2012
Jersey Number: TBA
