Stone Sports Management is pleased to announce another import signing with Defender Jose Goncalves moving to Major League Soccer from Swiss Super League side Sion FC on loan to the New England Revolution. The loan is for the 2013 season with an MLS buy option.
Goncalves is a strong, talented and versatile left footed central defender who can also play as a left back. The 27 year old former U21 Portuguese International called other European clubs such as Scottish Premier League Hearts and fellow Swiss Super League club St. Gallen home during his nine year career. With multiple years left on his Sion FC contract and lack of playing time in recent seasons, this move will benefit all parties as Goncalves will be asked to lead the Revolution's back line in order to get back into the MLS playoffs.
Stone Sports Management would like to thank everyone involved for their work in this complicated transaction including but not limited to the New England Revolution's General Manager Michael Burns, Head Coach Jay Heaps, Assistant/Goalkeeping Coach Remi Roy, Sion FC's President Christian Constantin, Sports Director Marco DeGennaro, Manager Angelo Massimo, Onside Football's Paulo Filipe Dias and of course Jose Goncalves.
This concludes months of negotiations between all three parties to find a win-win-win solution for all. What started out as a cooperation between Stone Sports Management and Onside Football's collaboration to find a solution for Jose Goncalves turned into an ideal fit for the New England Revolution. With Boston's large Portuguese, Brazilian and Cape Verdean population coupled with Goncalves' strong pedigree, Goncalves was the perfect solution when Stone Sports Management and the New England Revolution met in Washington, DC in advance of their September 15, 2012 league match against DC United. At that time, the Revolution expressed their need for a Central Defender in the next transfer window with an ideal request for a Portuguese or Brazilian. After securing necessary paperwork to represent Goncalves in MLS, it did not take long for the Revolution to take interest. Soon after, it was agreed by all parties that Goncalves should travel to Boston to see the facilities, train with the team and get know better the club and coaching staff. Goncalves impressed starting more detailed negotiations for his loan.
Goncalves is expected to obtain the appropriate US immigration documents in time for the Revolutions 2013 Preseason that starts January 17, 2013 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Goncalves is excited to start a new career chapter in MLS and to lead the Revolution back into the playoffs.
UPDATE: On January 28, 2013, Justin Stone traveled to Boston to welcome Jose Goncalves and help him in the transition to his new club while the New England Revolution started the 2013 Preseason in Boston. Justin and Jose were able to head into downtown Boston and grab dinner at Boston's famous Japanese Restaurant - Douzo. Justin also visited with Revolution Left Back Tyler Polak and take in a Revolution training session in the Gillette Bubble before seeing the two players and the team head off to Logan Airport to begin their first Arizona Preseason leg. Stone Sports Management wishes Goncalves and Polak all the best for the upcoming season!