New England Revolution sign Carles Gil to contract extension

New England Revolution have signed attacking midfielder Carles Gil to a fresh contract extension through the 2026 Major League Soccer campaign.

The decision for the New England front office to extend the team's No. 10 was a no-brainer after his impressive performances in recent seasons. In the 2023 season, the former Spain youth international recorded 11 goals and 15 assists to propel his side to a fifth-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

Gil was crucial to the Revs' 2021 Supporters' Shield triumph -- the club's second piece of silverware -- as he tallied a career-high 18 assists to lead New England to 22 wins and a 73-point finish, the most points ever scored in an MLS season.

Prior to joining the Revs in January 2019, Gil rose through the ranks in Spain with the likes of Valencia, Elche and Deportivo La Coruna. The 31-year-old made a quick stop in England with Aston Villa, where he managed three goals and three assists in 34 appearances.

"First of all, it's an honor for me to be here today on what is a remarkable day for the New England Revolution. Carles is one of the best players to have ever played for this organization, so we are thrilled about today. When I became the sporting director, I had two clear objectives on day one. The first one was to bring in a top-class coach with a winning pedigree, and we did that with the hiring of Caleb Porter," Revs sporting director Curt Onalfo said in a release.

"Second, and the most important thing on the player side, was to make sure that we secured Carles Gil. His contract was up this year, like I had said earlier, one of the best players ever play in this club, so our priority was to get him signed. And I am extremely happy to announce today that we've been able to do that. So, for our fans, and for the entire organization, this is a big deal. So, Carles and his family are here to stay, so it's a wonderful day for all of us.

"When you talk about Carles and his qualities as a footballer, as a player, he's incredible. Players of his quality, very rarely, are humble, and Carles is one of those rare gems. He's pure class. He's a pure class player. He’s pure class off the field. His leadership is so strong, yet in a subtle way, because he leads by example on and off the field, so he sets this incredible example and helps us set the culture of the club on a daily basis. His playmaking ability is second to none," said Onalfo.

The Spaniard currently sits in second place on the Revs' all-time assisting charts with 51, just 10 behind the retired Steve Ralston.

Gil, now signed through the next three seasons that includes an option for the 2027 season, has one thing on his mind: winning.

"I want to say thank you to everyone. Obviously, the Kraft family for believing in me, Curt [Onalfo] and all the staff, everyone who is working here in New England, it’s many, many people, my teammates, my agent, and my family of course," said Gil.

"So yeah, I'm very happy to be staying here and I just want to win. When I arrived my first thought I had in my mind was to try to be the player that I think I am. I spent some years in Europe. I found that, and then win. I think since three or four years ago, we started to build a winning club with the mentality.

"Obviously, it's never easy because many teams want to win, but I feel that we are on the way. So, that's why I'm here, because I feel that I have much more to give to the club and just to win trophies with everyone, and with my teammates also."

Gil has kicked-off the 2024 MLS season with one goal in two starts, and the Revs now prepare to take on Atlanta United this Saturday in a primetime matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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