The New England Revolution have acquired goalkeeper Brad Knighton from the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, the two clubs announced Wednesday.
To facilitate the deal back to the club with whom he started his pro career, Knighton opted out of the 2013 Re-Entry Process, for which he had been eligible.
“We’re very pleased to be able to bring Brad back to the Revolution,” New England general manager Michael Burns said in a statement. “We rate Brad highly and we did not expect him to be available to us tomorrow with the 12th pick of the Re-Entry Draft’s first round. We’re looking forward to him coming back to New England.”
Knighton signed with the Revs in 2007 as an undrafted free agent and also spent time at the USL First Division version of the Portland Timbers, the Philadelphia Union and the NASL's Carolina RailHawks before signing for the 'Caps prior to the 2012 season. He started eight of the 10 games he appeared in that season and made 11 starts in 2013 before losing the No. 1 job to Danish import David Ousted.
“My family and I couldn’t be more excited to be coming back to New England, where I began my career,” Knighton said in a statement. “I had three incredible years here and I couldn’t think of a better city, organization and team to return to. I can’t be happier this worked out.”
The Whitecaps also announced Wednesday that forward Tommy Heinemann had opted out of the Re-Entry Draft, allowing him an opportunity to re-sign with the club.
