FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (July 5, 2023) – The New England Revolution signed American midfielder Ian Harkes (pronounced HARX) to a Major League Soccer contract through the 2023 season, with a two-year club option for 2024 and 2025. The Revolution acquired the Right of First Refusal to sign Harkes from D.C. United in exchange for New England’s second-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and a conditional $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM).
Harkes, 28, returns to Major League Soccer after spending more than four seasons in the top flights of Scotland with Dundee United, accumulating 165 appearances for the historic club. In his second season with the club, the midfielder helped Dundee United win the Scottish Championship and earn promotion back to the first division. In the Scottish Premiership, Harkes totaled five goals and eight assists across 84 appearances in the first division. He excelled during the 2021-22 season, setting career highs in appearances (37) and goals (4), en route to earning the club’s highest honor as the Tangerines’ Player of the Year.
“Ian Harkes is a welcomed addition to our team. His experience in Scotland has allowed him to grow as a player, and he will offer us depth and quality to our midfield,” said Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena. “We look forward to integrating Ian into the team over the next couple of weeks.”
As the son of former U.S. Men’s National Team and New England midfielder John Harkes, Ian is now half of the first father-son duo to play for the Revolution in club history. Harkes began his professional journey as a Homegrown Player with D.C. United in 2017. He made 25 appearances, with 22 starts, as a rookie, and concluded his two-year stint in D.C. with 37 appearances, four goals and two assists in all competitions. Harkes’ time in D.C. included two goals and an assist in four U.S. Open Cup appearances.
Born in Derby, England, Harkes developed in D.C United’s academy before a distinguished four-year collegiate career at Wake Forest University, where he played 82 games for the Demon Deacons. After earning three All-ACC Academic Team selections and multiple All-ACC honors, Harkes was awarded the Mac Hermann Trophy in 2016 as the best men’s college soccer player in the nation.
TRANSACTION: The New England Revolution signed American midfielder Ian Harkes (pronounced HARX) to a Major League Soccer contract through the 2023 season, with a two-year club option for 2024 and 2025, on July 5, 2023. The Revolution acquired the Right of First Refusal to sign Harkes from D.C. United in exchange for New England’s second-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and a conditional $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM).
IAN HARKES AT A GLANCE:
- American central midfielder has amassed over 200 professional appearances with Dundee United (Scotland) and D.C .United (MLS).
- Named Dundee United's Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season after setting career highs with 37 appearances and four goals.
- Helped Dundee United win the 2019-20 Scottish Championship and earn promotion to the topflight.
- Awarded the 2016 Mac Hermann Trophy as the best men’s college soccer player to cap four-year collegiate career at Wake Forest.
- Part of first father-son duo to play for the Revolution as the son of former U.S. Men’s National Team and New England midfielder John Harkes.
#14 IAN HARKES
Full Name: Ian Andrew Harkes
Position: Central Midfielder
Date of Birth: March 30, 1995 (Derby, England)
Hometown: Fairfax, Va.
Height: 6’-0”
Weight: 160 lbs.
Nationality: United States
How Acquired: Signed as a free agent on July 5, 2023.
