Revolution announce signing of top academy player Noel Buck on a homegrown contract

The Arlington native is the second-youngest signing in the history of the team's academy.

Noel Buck after signing his Homegrown Player contract with Revolution Technical Directory Curt Onalfo. Photo via New England Revolution

By Hayden Bird

January 18, 2022

The Revolution announced the signing of 16-year-old Arlington native Noel Buck to a Homegrown Player deal on Tuesday.

Buck, the team’s 2021 Academy Player of the Year, is now the youngest player on the Revolution’s MLS roster. His contract runs through the 2025 season that also includes a one-year club option.

“Noel is a talented two-way central midfielder with a high ceiling,” said Revolution Technical Director Curt Onalfo in the team’s announcement. “He is only 16 years old with bright future and a lot of development ahead of him.”

Having joined the Revolution academy in 2017 when he was 12, Buck made 70 appearances across every level of New England’s developmental system.

“It’s always been my dream to play professional soccer, and especially with my hometown club, who I’ve been with all my life,” Buck told reporters on Tuesday, calling his decision to sign a “no-brainer.”

This is the second professional contract Buck has signed, having joined Revolution II in June 2021 (where he played in 28 league games, scoring five goals).

Asked how he balances increasingly professional obligations with school and outside life, Buck said he keeps things simple.

“It’s just a commitment, and I’ve committed myself to this organization and I’ve always loved playing, I always loved being here,” he explained. “All the guys are great people and I’m glad to be there with them. So, it’s not so much of a balance, because I have friends here as well, so the social aspect of my life is not in jeopardy playing a lot of soccer.

“I know I have school I have to do when I go home and all that kind of stuff,” Buck added, “but everyone here has an obligation to commit to outside of soccer, so it’s not too much different to everyone else.”

Buck is the eighth player in the history of New England’s academy to sign with the first team. The only player who signed younger was former Revolution midfielder Diego Fagundez, who played with the first team for 10 years before leaving in free agency in 2021.

Fagundez, the Revolution’s original academy graduate, finished his New England run tied for the most all-time appearances in club history. He’s a player whose legacy Buck is familiar with.

“I remember Diego because I remember when I was like 10, he came to one of my games when I was with my club team,” Buck recalled. “I actually got his autograph on one of my cleats and I still have that cleat today, so he has played a major role.

“He showed how to play at a very young age, and there’s a lot of people around the world that I take inspiration from,” said Buck. “There’s a lot of young players and Diego Fagundez as well.”

Revolution preseason training is already underway for the 2022 MLS season (which begins on Feb. 26 in Portland against the Timbers). Having won the Supporters’ Shield in 2021, New England will also participate in the CONCACAF Champions League, with the first of a two-leg Round of 16 matchup against Cavaly AS on Feb. 15.