FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have acquired defender Gabriel Somi on a free transfer from Swedish side Östersunds FK. Somi will be added to the active roster pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
“We are very pleased to add a versatile player in Gabriel who has the ability to help contribute at both ends of the field," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. “We look forward to seeing the impact he will have on the field in 2018 and beyond."
Somi, 26, has been a regular contributor during his senior career in Sweden, which includes over 130 combined appearances and more than 9,800 minutes played across all competitions. Since 2012, the left-footed defender has registered six goals with 12 assists. Somi's most recent professional experience includes two seasons with Östersunds FK (2016-17) in Sweden’s top-flight Allsvenskan, where he played in 44 matches, recorded four goals, and tallied five assists.
In the 2016-17 season, Somi made 18 appearances across all competitions, including 12 starts, with Östersunds. The defender scored a single-season career-high three goals and equaled his previous best season in assists with three in league play. Somi also captured his first major title, as Östersunds won the Svenska Cupen, Sweden's annual domestic cup.
Prior to joining Östersunds, Somi spent four seasons with Syrianska FC (2012-15) in both the Allsvenskan (2012-13) and the Swedish Second League, the Superettan (2014-15). In total, he played in 87 contests and recorded over 7,000 minutes for the club. Outside of league play, Somi made eight appearances, including five starts, for Östersunds in qualifiers and the group stage of the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League.
TRANSACTION: New England Revolution acquire defender Gabriel Somi via a free transfer on Jan. 5, 2018 pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
Name: Gabriel Somi
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 150
Hometown: Örebro, Sweden
Date of Birth: August 24, 1991 (Örebro, Sweden)
Last Club: Östersunds FK (SWE)
