AMSTERDAM – Free agent US forward Juan Agudelo is on the verge of spurning no less than 10 European options to sign a four-year return homecoming deal with former employers the New England Revolution, sources have confirmed to MLSsoccer.com.
The 22-year-old revealed the news himself via Twitter on Thursday afternoon.
Agudelo rejoins the 2014 MLS Cup runners-up following a wild journey through the transfer mill overseas that saw him unable to complete a pair of Stoke City pre-deals. When reached for comment by MLSsoccer.com on Thursday afternoon, the Revs declined to speak on the matter.
Agudelo, who spent the back half of last season on loan to FC Utrecht, has not played since an Eredivisie closing day, Man-of-the-Match showing against Vitesse last May. Several sources confirmed to MLSsoccer.com that the Red-and-White Army twice tried in vain to lure the American back to the Galgenwaard.
In addition, MLSsoccer.com has confirmed that the attacker turned down approaches of varying seriousness from a long list of name brand clubs in Europe from last summer through to the current transfer window.
Aside from Utrecht, Agudelo had strong interest from the likes of 1860 Munich, Anderlecht, Feyenoord, Red Bull Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg Sporting CP, Standard Liège and Werder Bremen. Furthermore, he had calls from top flight clubs in Denmark, Italy and Spain, as well as doomed interest from Birmingham City, Bolton and Wolverhampton in the English Championship.
While Agudelo was busy appearing in 14 matches on loan to Utrecht, his UK work permit appeal was rejected and he would eventually dissolve his first contract with Stoke at the end of last June. Multiple sources on both sides of the Atlantic confirmed to MLSsoccer.com that the free agent then had a second pre-deal to join the Potters this month in place, but the move hinged on an investment-based passport application in Cyprus that simply took too long to be approved.
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It appeared for a while last fall that Agudelo would be granted a Cypriot passport, allowing him to finally become a member of Stoke's squad. However, the small European country eventually became concerned about the bad press they might receive for approving the passport, and precious transfer window time frittered away until the youngster had to change course.
Agudelo now reunites with the Revs, whose offseason maneuvers left them with just Teal Bunbury and Charlie Davies as experienced front men after losing Patrick Mullins to NYCFC in the expansion draft, as well as trading reserve forwards Geoffrey Castillion and Dimitri Imbongo.
During his 2013 stint in New England, Agudelo racked up five goals in 18 games. Including his time with the New York Red Bulls and Chivas USA, he has tallied 17 times in 85 contests across all competitions.
New England Revolution beat writer Craig Forde contributed to this report.
