FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Brad Friedel hinted at another signing earlier this week and on Friday morning he delivered, officially unveiling center back Michael Mancienne as the New England Revolution’s second addition of the summer transfer window.
“Michael’s a defender who has played at the highest levels in both England and Germany throughout his career,” Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. “We believe his experience will help him make immediate contributions to the club and allow him to become a leader on and off the field.”
Mancienne spent the past four seasons with Nottingham Forest in the EFL Championship, and he’s also a former England youth international and graduate of Chelsea's youth system, arriving with a combined 99 career appearances in the English Premier League and German Bundesliga with Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hamburger SV.
This will be the 30-year-old’s first time playing in MLS, and Mancienne is confident that joining the Revs was the perfect move for his career.
“It was just an exciting opportunity,” Mancienne said of his decision to join MLS and the Revs specifically. “It was something that I couldn’t turn down. I had obviously other options in England, but to be honest this was something that was amazing. I think it’s beautiful.”
One factor that drew Mancienne to New England is that he’s able to work under Revs head coach Brad Friedel. The two crossed paths playing against one another in England over the course of their careers, and Mancienne understands the chance to grow under Friedel’s guidance is a huge opportunity.
“(Friedel) is a massive name,” said Mancienne. “He’s had a great career. He’s got bundles of experience, so I’m really looking forward to working underneath him, to learning from him and hopefully doing really well for him.”
As a center back who can also play outside back, Mancienne will add depth and competition to the Revolution backline. With his wealth of experience throughout multiple levels in Europe and his veteran locker-room presence, he is confident that he will fit in well with New England.
“I think obviously (I’m expected) to be a leader at the back,” said Mancienne. “I’m used to that. I’ve captained many sides in my career so I’m looking forward to the challenges, and I just can’t wait to get started.”
Mancienne, who was added using Targeted Allocation Money, will occupy the seventh and final international slot on the Revs’ roster in 2018. He’ll be officially added to the roster upon receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC), which he is in the process of obtaining, and he’s eager to join his new teammates on the training ground as soon as possible.
