FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have acquired forward Krisztián Németh via a trade with Columbus Crew SC prior to the close of the Secondary Transfer Window on Aug. 9, 2017. Crew SC will receive $200,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2018, $200,000 in General Allocation Money in 2018, and an international roster spot until Dec. 31, 2018 from New England. Németh will join the Revolution's roster via the use of Targeted Allocation Money pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
Németh was acquired by Columbus using its top position in the MLS Allocation Ranking Order. As a result, New England moves from the second spot to first in the Allocation Ranking.
"We are pleased to have acquired Krisztián and look forward to him making an impact this season," said Revolution General Manager Michael Burns. "Krisztián is a proven goal scorer in this league and abroad. We believe the leadership and experience he brings to New England will make him an immediate asset."
Németh, 28, brings 12 seasons of professional experience to New England, having totaled 205 senior appearances, 62 goals, and 43 assists across all competitions in his club career. The Hungarian international most recently spent two seasons with Al-Gharafa SC of the top-flight Qatar Stars League, scoring 12 goals with five assists in 24 league appearances, including 22 starts. A proven MLS goal scorer, he spent the 2015 season with Sporting Kansas City and totaled 10 goals and six assists in 28 regular season games, and added one goal in his only postseason start. He became the second player in MLS history to score on all of his first seven shots on goal. In addition, he tallied five goals and one assist in only four matches of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Németh signed his first professional contract at age 15 when he joined MTK Budapest of Hungary's top division (now OTP Bank Liga) in 2005. After scoring two goals in his first season, the forward broke out for 12 goals in 2006-07. In July 2007, Németh transferred to Liverpool FC and featured extensively for the reserves, leading the Barclays Premier Reserve League in scoring with nine goals in only 12 matches of the 2007-08 season. He led the Liverpool Reserves to the national championship and scored the game-winning goal in the final. While with Liverpool, he made loan appearances with Blackpool FC (England) and AEK Athens (Greece), scoring three goals in 19 games in the Superleague and Europa League with the latter.
From Liverpool, Németh joined Greek power Olympiacos Piraeus via transfer in August 2010. During the 2010-11 campaign, he spent more than six months on loan with Olympiakos Volos. From Greece, he then returned to his original club, MTK Budapest, to record three appearances and two goals in 2011-12. Following his stint in Greece, Németh spent time with Dutch sides RKC Waalwijk (2011-12) and Roda JC Kerkrade (2012-14), recording 13 goals and 11 assists in 59 Eredivisie appearances.
Németh has earned 30 caps with the Hungarian national team since making his senior debut at 21 years old. He was a regular member of Hungary's squad during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, totaling two goals in 13 games. In UEFA Euro qualifying, he scored twice in eight games, and also appeared in two matches during Euro 2016. Prior to making his senior debut, the forward totaled 29 goals in 28 appearances with Hungary's youth national teams, helping lead the nation to a third-place finish in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup with three goals in the tournament.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution acquire forward Krisztián Németh using Targeted Allocation Money via a trade with Columbus Crew SC in exchange for $200,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2018, $200,000 in General Allocation Money in 2018, and an international roster spot until Dec. 31, 2018 on Aug. 9, 2017.
Name: Krisztián Németh
Pronunciation: KRIS-tee-an NAY-meth
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
Hometown: Győr, Hungary
Date of Birth: January 5, 1989 (Győr, Hungary)
Nationality: Hungary
Last Club: Al-Gharafa SC (QAT)
