FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have signed goalkeeper Brad Knighton to a new contract, the club announced today. A 12-year Major League Soccer veteran in his ninth season with New England, Knighton is set to join only three other Revolution players to have eclipsed 10 years of service with the club in 2020.
Knighton, 34, has registered a 15-16-12 record with 147 saves and six shutouts in MLS play across two stints, totaling nine seasons, with the Revolution. In Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play, he is New England's all-time leader in games played in goal (13), games started in goal (13), and minutes played in goal (1,260). Knighton backstopped the Revolution to the 2016 U.S. Open Cup Final, starting four of the team's five matches in the tournament, including the final against FC Dallas. This season, he owns a 1-3-3 record with 12 saves across seven league appearances.
“I’m pleased that we have been able to reach a new contract agreement with Brad Knighton. Brad is an exceptional teammate and a proven goalkeeper in our league.” Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “With the signing of Brad and Matt Turner, I feel we have solidified our goalkeeping position at the Revolution for a number of years.”
A native of Hickory, N.C., Knighton earned a preseason trial with the Revolution in 2007 through an open tryout at the Empower Field House, and eventually secured a roster spot. He was selected by the Philadelphia Union in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft, but was reacquired by New England ahead of the 2014 season following stints with Philadelphia, the NASL's Carolina RailHawks, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Tied with midfielder Diego Fagundez for the most seasons with the club among active Revolution players, Knighton would join Shalrie Joseph, Matt Reis, and Chris Tierney as the only players in Revolution history to spend at least 10 seasons with the team next year.
Brad Knighton's Career at a Glance:
- Currently in second stint with the Revolution after first signing with the club in 2007.
- Earned a preseason trial through an open tryout in 2007, and was offered a first-team contract after impressing coaching staff in preseason trip to Bermuda.
- The Revolution's all-time U.S. Open Cup leader in games played in goal (13), games started in goal (13), and minutes played in goal (1,260).
- Inducted into UNC-Wilmington Hall of Fame in January 2018.
A graduate of UNC-Wilmington, Knighton was the University's first player ever to make an MLS roster. He holds the school record for minutes played by a goalkeeper (6,891), and ranks second in goals-against average (1.08), games played in goal (75), and games started in goal (73). He was inducted into the Seahawks' Hall of Fame in 2018.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution sign goalkeeper Brad Knighton to a new contract on August 23, 2019.
