MLS transfer roundup: New England Revolution sign Noel Buck, Toronto FC extends Jordan Perruzza
As the 2022 Major League Soccer season approaches, clubs are quickly reinforcing their rosters to prepare. While the offseason has seen several big figures depart the American league, teams like Atlanta United, Toronto FC and the Philadelphia Union are committed to strengthening their side with talented players.
here is the latest MLS transfer roundup featuring several homegrown deals...
1. New England Revolution sign midfielder Noel Buck
The New England Revolution signed midfielder Noel Buck as a homegrown player through the 2025 MLS season with an option for 2026, the club announced Tuesday.
The 16-year-old first joined the Revolution Academy at age 12, and now stands as their 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,” sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena said in a release. “We look forward to working with him in 2022.”
Buck signed his first professional contract with now-MLS NEXT Pro side Revolution II in June 2021, where he recorded five goals and one assist in 28 appearances in USL League One.
“Noel is a talented two-way central midfielder with a high ceiling. He is only 16 years old with a bright future and a lot of development ahead of him," technical director Curt Onalfo said in a release.
"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. We look forward to seeing Noel continue his maturation as he projects to see significant minutes with our second team this season.”
2. Philadelphia Union's Jack Elliott signs contract extension
The Philadelphia Union center back Jack Elliott has signed a contract extension, running through the 2024 MLS season with an option for 2025.
“Over his five seasons with the Union, Jack has developed and proven himself to be one of the best defenders in Major League Soccer,” sporting director Ernst Tanner said in a release.
“His combination of size and skill has been a key component to the team’s continued growth and success, consistently leading the Union to be one of the top teams with the fewest goals allowed in the league. Recently, Jack showed his positional versatility and helped us overcome unprecedented challenges to make the deepest playoff run in our club’s history.”
The player first joined the Union in 2017 via the Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Since signing his first contract, Elliott has managed eight goals and three assists in 131 MLS regular-season appearances.
3. Atlanta United add depth to their roster with Caleb Wiley
An impressive body of work at just 17 years of age ? pic.twitter.com/jXwSh49Ytl
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) January 18, 2022
Atlanta United sign defender Caleb Wiley to a homegrown deal, joining through the 2025 MLS season with a club option for 2026.
The 17-year-old left back was a member of Atlanta's inaugural Under-12 academy team in 2016, and worked himself up to professionally debut with ATL UTD 2 in the USL Championship in 2020 at just 15 years old.
“We are excited to sign Caleb as a professional and continue his development with Atlanta United,” VP and technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a release. “He’s still young but has gotten invaluable minutes through 33 games with ATL UTD 2 which has shown us that he’s ready for the next challenge in his career.”
The player also represented the United States youth national teams at various levels, most recently featuring for the Under-20 side in November during the Revelations Cup.
4. Toronto FC sign Jordan Perruzza through 2024
Toronto FC has handed a homegrown contract to forward Jordan Perruzza, keeping the player with the club through 2024 with a 2025 option.
The forward notably netted a late-season equalizer against Atlanta United.
“Jordan is a talented young striker who gained valuable experience with San Antonio FC and Toronto FC II last year,” head coach and sporting director Bob Bradley said in a release. “We hope he is ready to make a big step in 2022.”
He made his first-team debut in April 2021 as a substitute against Liga MX’s Club Leon in Concacaf Champions League. Perruzza has also featured for Toronto FC II in USL League One and completed two loan stints with San Antonio FC in the USL Championship.