FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution today announced that third-year midfielder Zak Boggs has retired in order to accept a Fulbright Scholarship to study medical sciences at England’s Leicester University, beginning this fall.

“We want to wish Zak the best of luck as he re-enters the academic world,” Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. “Zak has had a passion for medical research his entire time with us, which he was able to balance with his playing career. But this is an outstanding opportunity for him, and one which allow him to continue his cancer research at a higher level.” 

Boggs, 25, was originally drafted in the second round (31st overall) in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. He made 29 appearances, scoring two goals and adding one assist. As a rookie in 2010, he made nine appearances and scored both of his career goals at Columbus on May 8, which was also his first career start. In 2011, he made 20 appearances, including 16 starts, scoring one goal and adding one assist.

He had yet to see any action in 2012 after suffering a severe ankle sprain in early February, and has been on the Disabled List since early April. He made one appearance in the MLS Reserve League – on July 8 against New York – as he continued to rehab his ankle injury.

Boggs also won the 2011 MLS Humanitarian of the Year award for his ongoing volunteer research at Boston Children’s Hospital in Dr. Marsha Moses’ research laboratory. Since the fall of 2010, went into Boston to help Moses and her staff research potential cancer diagnostics and prognostics. Specifically, he helped in the attempt to find proteins in the body that would more clearly identify someone who has cancer from someone who does not. He also made regular visits to Children’s Hospital patients during his trips to the hospital.

TRANSACTION: New England Revolution (MLS) – M Zak Boggs retires.