FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (January 6, 2024) – The New England Revolution acquired goalkeeper Henrich Ravas (pronounced: hen-RICK RAH-vas) from Polish club Widzew Łódź and signed him to a Major League Soccer contract through the 2026 season, with an additional club option for 2027, pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Ravas will occupy an international roster spot for the 2024 season.
Ravas, 26, arrives in MLS following a successful three-year stint with Widzew Łódź in the Ekstraklasa, Poland’s first division, appearing in 63 contests over parts of three seasons. In his seven-year professional career, Ravas has collected 161 club appearances across all competitions for Widzew Łódź, FK Senica of the Slovak Super League, and English sides Boston United, Gainsborough Trinity, and Hartlepool United.
“Henrich Ravas is an experienced goalkeeper who has performed well over his three seasons in Poland, showing progress each year to develop into one of his league’s best shotstoppers. His physical traits and top-flight European experience should allow for a seamless transition to MLS,” Revolution Sporting Director Curt Onalfo said. “Henrich’s arrival strengthens an already talented goalkeeping corps, and we look forward to seeing him on the field with our team in preseason.”
A native of Senica, Slovakia, Ravas departs the Ekstraklasa as the league leader in saves (59) during the 2023-24 campaign, with three clean sheets in 18 league starts. Ravas joined Widzew Łódź midway through the 2021-22 campaign, appearing in 10 league matches to help lift the club to a second-place finish in the I Liga and earn automatic promotion to the Polish topflight. In 2022-23, Ravas again earned the starting job, appearing in all but one league match, and finished third in the Ekstraklasa in both saves (107) and clean sheets (12).
“Henrich Ravas is a top-quality goalkeeper who has all the tools necessary to fit into our game model and make an immediate impact in our league,” Revolution Head Coach Caleb Porter said. “We liked his experience, but also his growth over the past several seasons, which gives us confidence that his best years are still ahead of him. My staff and I look forward to working with him and heling him realize his potential in New England.”
Ravas began his professional career in England for National League North side Boston United in 2015, making 19 appearances in his first full professional season. Ravas earned a transfer to Derby County, which saw him sent on separate loan spells to Gainsborough Trinity FC in 2017-18 and Hartlepool United in 2020-21. After departing Hartlepool, Ravas returned to Slovakia for one season, signing with his hometown club FK Senica, for which he made 24 appearances.
On the international stage, Ravas has been called up on multiple occasions to the Slovakia National Team, awaiting his first cap after serving as a backup goalkeeper 12 times, including all 10 of Slovakia’s UEFA European Qualifiers in 2023.
After beginning the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup campaign on Wednesday, Feb. 21 against Panamanian side CA Independiente (8:00 p.m. ET), the Revolution will open the 2024 MLS regular season on the road at D.C. United on Saturday, Feb. 24 (7:30 p.m. ET). New England’s MLS home opener is scheduled for Sunday, March 3 vs. Toronto FC (2:00 p.m. ET), after the club’s first home match in Concacaf Champions Cup action on Thursday, Feb. 29 (8:15 p.m. ET).
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution acquired goalkeeper Henrich Ravas from Widzew Łódź for an undisclosed fee, signing him to a three-year MLS contract through the 2026 season with an additional club option for 2027 on January 6, 2024, pending receipt of his P-1 vis and ITC.
HENRICH RAVAS AT A GLANCE:
- A veteran of seven professional seasons in Europe, owns 161 appearances across all competitions across various clubs in England, Slovakia, and Poland.
- Spent the past three seasons at Polish side Widzew Łódź, helping earn promotion to the Ekstraklasa in 2022.
- Career totals for Widzew Łódź include 61 league appearances with 19 clean sheets, including career-high 12 in 2022-23.
- Called up to Slovakia Men’s National Team on six occasions, appearing on the bench for all 10 UEFA European Qualifiers.
HENRICH RAVAS
Full Name: Henrich Ravas
Pronunciation: hen-RICK RAH-vas
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: August 16, 1997 (Senica, Slovakia)
Hometown: Senica, Slovakia
Height: 6-5
Weight: 192 lbs.
Nationality: Slovakia
How Acquired: Acquired from Widzew Łódź for an undisclosed fee; Signed to a three-year MLS contract through the 2026 season with an additional club option for 2027.
