12/9/08
| Parkhurst transfers to Danish club |
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Former league defender of the year and Cranston, R.I., native moves to FC Nordsjælland | Parkhurst Photo Gallery 
| Michael Parkhurst (surrounded) after scoring the only goal of his MLS career on Oct. 20, 2007. |
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| Michael Parkhurst Card Plaque |
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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst has signed a contract to play for FC Nordsjælland of Denmark’s SAS Ligaen (first division) starting in January 2009, and was presented today a press conference in Farum. His original four-year contract with Major League Soccer will expire at the end of 2008.
Parkhurst, 24, moves to the European league on a free transfer. The Cranston, R.I., native also holds an Irish passport, making a move to a foreign league easier.
“We’ve known for a while that Michael wanted to try to play in Europe,” Revolution Vice President of Player Personnel Michael Burns said. “That said, Michael has been a true professional during this process and was fully committed to helping the Revolution succeed on the field.
“We want to thank Michael for all of his efforts, both on and off the field, and wish him the best of luck in Denmark,” Burns continued.
Parkhurst appeared in and started 115 games in his four-year Revolution career, which began in 2005 when New England drafted him in the first round (ninth overall) of the MLS SuperDraft. Parkhurst went on to win the 2005 MLS rookie of the year award and 2007 MLS defender of the year award, in addition to the league’s 2006 humanitarian of the year and 2007 and 2008 MLS Fair Play awards.
In 2008, Parkhurst was selected as one of the U.S.’ three overage players for the Olympic (Under-23) Team, and started all three of the team’s games in Beijing. Overall, Parkhurst has four caps with the full U.S. Men’s National Team, debuting in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and most recently playing against Guatemala on Nov. 19 in a 2010 World Cup Qualifier.
The lone goal in his MLS career was one of the highlights of the entire 2007 MLS season, a 60-yard strike from behind the midfield line in the final game of the season against Toronto FC at BMO Field.
The Revolution opens the 2009 season on Saturday, March 21 when the club travels to play the San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Revs open their home slate on Saturday, April 4, when they host FC Dallas. Season tickets and Holiday 4-Packs, which include an exclusive 2009 Revolution calendar, are available by calling 1-877-GET-REVS.
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