FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (April 23, 2024) – The New England Revolution have signed goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič (pronounced all-YAJ EVE-uh-chitch) through the 2025 Major League Soccer season. Ivačič will occupy a space on the club’s supplemental roster. In a corresponding move, the Revolution have waived goalkeeper Jacob Jackson.
Ivačič joins New England after previously spending five seasons with the Portland Timbers from 2019-23. With the Timbers, he totaled 54 appearances with eight clean sheets and 192 saves. Ivačič made his debut for the club in September 2020 after featuring for Timbers 2 the previous year. In 2021, he was part of the Western Conference Championship team in Portland, making five appearances during the year, and dressed as the backup goalkeeper for the MLS Cup final. In 2022, he set a career high with 32 starts for Portland and was voted the Supporters’ MVP by Timbers fans after leading MLS in saves with 112.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper was signed by Portland in January 2019 from Slovenian PrvaLiga outfit NK Olimpija Ljubljana, where he recorded 24 clean sheets in 58 appearances across all competitions. With his hometown club, he helped win the Slovenian domestic championship in the 2017-18 campaign, and the Slovenian Cup in 2018.
“Aljaž Ivačič is a talented goalkeeper who impressed us during the last two weeks training with our team, earning his place on the team,” Revolution Sporting Director Curt Onalfo said. “Aljaž brings invaluable experience in MLS and internationally. We are pleased to welcome him to the team. We also thank Jacob Jackson for his service to the club and wish him the best in the future.”
“Aljaž was a starting goalkeeper during his time in Portland and led the league in saves in 2022,” Head Coach Caleb Porter said. “He is a talented shotstopper who plays with a confidence and presence. He will provide depth and competition to our goalkeeping unit.”
In European competition, Ivačič started five times in 2017-18 Europa League Qualifying, and played twice in UEFA Champions League qualifying in July 2018, recording a shutout on the road against Qarabağ FK. A native of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Ivačič has earned three call-ups to the Slovenia Men’s National Team, having made one previous appearance at the youth international level.
Jackson was selected by New England in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft and departs New England having made three starts for the first team, and 29 starts for Revolution II from 2022-24.
New England is back at home at Gillette Stadium this Saturday, April 27 to host Inter Miami CF. The 7:30 p.m. ET match is available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish. Listen to the match on 98.5 The Sports Hub HD2 (WBZ-FM), with Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies, and on 1260 AM “Nossa Radio USA” in Portuguese.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution signed goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič through the 2025 MLS season, and waived goalkeeper Jacob Jackson, on April 23, 2024. Ivačič will occupy a space on the club’s supplemental roster.
Aljaž Ivačič at a Glance:
- Slovenian champion in 2017-18 and Slovenian Cup winner with NK Olimpia Ljubljana in 2018.
- Recorded 194 saves across 54 appearances with the Portland Timbers from 2020-23.
- Made career-high 32 starts in 2022, voted Supporters’ MVP by Timbers fans after leading MLS with 112 saves.
- Totaled 24 shutouts in 58 appearances with hometown club Olimpija Ljubljana.
- Owns seven starts in UEFA Champions League and Europa League qualifying.
- Has earned three call ups to the Slovenian Men’s National Team.
#31 Aljaž Ivačič
Nickname: Ally (pronounced AH-lee)
Pronunciation: all-YAJ EVE-uh-chitch
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: December 29, 1993 (Ljubljana, Slovenia)
Hometown: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180 lbs.
Nationality: Slovenia
How Acquired: Signed to a two-year MLS contract through the 2025 season.
