Revolution comply with $10 million switch that sends main scorer Adam Buksa to French Ligue 1 workforce

Adam Buksa appeared destined to set Revolution information this season. As a substitute, Buksa has established an off-field normal for the workforce, incomes a switch value $10 million from RC Lens in France’s Ligue 1.

Buksa, 25, performed his final recreation for the Revolution on Might 21, extending his scoring streak to seven video games in a 3-2 win over FC Cincinnati. Buksa, New England’s main scorer with 11 objectives in 13 video games in all competitions, finalized the deal following a latest medical examination, in keeping with an MLS supply.

The Revolution acquired Buksa on a $4 million switch from Pogon Sczcecin in Poland in 2020. Buksa rapidly adjusted to the Revolution’s model of play, performing as a lone striker or in tandem with Gustavo Bou. He turned one of many few MLS-based gamers to earn a call-up to Poland’s nationwide workforce (5 objectives in seven appearances) and can be a part of the workforce for video games subsequent month, doubtless resulting in a spot on the World Cup roster.

Buksa transformed in his Gillette Stadium dwelling debut, a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Hearth, earlier than the 2020 season was halted due to the pandemic. Buksa completed with seven objectives in 28 video games in all competitions in his first yr with the Revolution and final yr had 16 objectives, tied for fifth within the league.

Buksa’s first two seasons with the Revolution ended with playoff defeats. Within the 2020 Japanese Convention remaining, Buksa drilled a breakaway off the put up within the first half of a 1-0 loss to the Columbus Crew and final yr had his try saved in a penalty kicks defeat to New York Metropolis FC.

Listed at 6 ft 4 inches, Buksa offered a menace within the air and as a hold-up goal man, taking part in with again to aim. However Buksa additionally displayed a delicate contact and a capability to dribble previous defenders, plus ending skill with each ft; he totaled 15 objectives leftfooted, seven rightfooted, plus 13 by way of headers for the Revolution.

Buksa started his seven-game scoring streak in a 2-1 win over Charlotte April 16 on the way in which to tying Wolde Harris’s workforce report, completed in 2000. Buksa completed eleventh on the all-time Revolution listing with 35 objectives in 73 video games.

With Lens, Buksa will be a part of former Chicago Hearth midfielder Przemyslaw Frankowski, additionally a member of Poland’s nationwide workforce. Lens, based in 1906, concluded final season with an eight-game unbeaten streak (5-0-3), ending in seventh place with a 17-10-11 (62 factors) report. The Ligue 1 season will start Aug. 6.

The Revolution have accelerated their involvement within the switch market since Bruce Enviornment was employed as sporting director/head coach in 2019. Enviornment spent a team-record $6.7 million on Bou, and within the final yr bought midfielder Tajon Buchanan (Membership Brugge, Belgium) and goalkeeper Matt Turner (Arsenal FC) for $7 million switch charges.

Enviornment changed Buchanan with Colombian winger Dylan Borrero ($4.5 million) from Atletico Mineiro and added goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic ($1 million) from Cuckaricki in Serbia. The acquisition of Buksa additionally units a report for a Lens switch buy, in keeping with the Transfermarkt web site.

The Revolution have been prepared to promote Buksa partly as a result of his contract expires in December 2023, making him a free agent who may transfer on with out producing a switch price.

Enviornment is predicted to make the most of the Buksa switch cash so as to add a Designated Participant, but it surely won’t be a ahead. Jozy Altidore was acquired from Toronto FC as insurance coverage ought to Buksa depart, and Enviornment mentioned he expects him to be close to full pace by subsequent month.

The Revolution (4-5-4, 16 factors) resume league play with a go to to Sporting Kansas Metropolis Sunday.

Frank Dell’Apa may be reached at [email protected].