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The New England Revolution have transferred Homegrown Player Esmir Bajraktarević to PSV Eindhoven, the reigning champions and current leaders of the Netherlands’ top-flight Eredivisie, it was announced on Thursday.
Esmir Bajraktarević will take a step up in the Dutch Eredivisie. (Photo courtesy of the New England Revolution)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution have transferred Homegrown Player Esmir Bajraktarević to PSV Eindhoven, the reigning champions and current leaders of the Netherlands’ top-flight Eredivisie, it was announced on Thursday.
Bajraktarević, 19, a graduate of the Revolution’s professional pathway, departs New England for an undisclosed fee after three MLS seasons with the club. The Revolution retain a percentage of Bajraktarević’s future sell-on rights.
“We are happy to facilitate this well-deserved move for Esmir, which will allow him to continue his development in one of Europe’s best leagues for young players,” Revolution sporting director Curt Onalfo said in a statement. “We are proud that Esmir’s rapid ascent through our pro pathway has positioned him to take this next step in his journey. His success is a credit to his work ethic and professionalism, which will serve him well at PSV. We thank Esmir for all of his contributions to the Revolution, especially the wonderful example he has set for the other young players in our system.”
Bajraktarević, 19, recorded 45 appearances for the Major League Soccer team, including 28 as a starter, with three goals and three assists across parts of three seasons from 2022-2024. This past season, the midfielder set career-high marks in appearances (29), starts (22), and minutes (1,990), while netting two game-winning goals in league play. Across all competitions last year, Bajraktarević scored four goals and tallied seven assists, including a team-best four helpers over six appearances in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
“Esmir is an extremely talented young player and it’s no surprise after his play this season that he started attracting attention from European clubs. This was a win both for Esmir and our club, and I enjoyed helping him grow and take this exciting step in his career,” Revs head coach Caleb Porter said in a statement. “There’s no doubt his future is bright and we wish him all the best.”
A native of Appleton, Wisc., Bajraktarević joined the Revolution Academy in August 2021. Less than a year later, he signed as the ninth Homegrown Player in New England history on May 23, 2022, becoming the first player from the Revolution Academy’s residency program to ascend to the first team roster. Bajraktarević’s rise through New England’s pro player pathway also featured 36 professional appearances with the club’s second team, Revolution II.
“Thank you to all the Revolution fans who have supported me throughout my time in New England. I’m grateful to Curt Onalfo for bringing me to New England, and to Caleb Porter and all the coaches from the first team through the academy who helped prepare me for this next step,” Bajraktarević said in a statement. “This club has been a second family to me since I moved into the residency in 2021, and I will remain a Revolution supporter wherever I go. I can’t wait to see the Revs fans again soon down the road.”
Bajraktarević represents Bosnia and Herzegovina at the international level, earning six caps last year. He debuted for Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sept. 7, 2024, recording an assist in his first appearance during UEFA Nations League A action against the Netherlands. He previously featured for the United States Men’s National Team, logging one senior appearance in January 2024 after featuring for the Stars and Stripes at multiple youth levels, including the Under-23 pre-Olympic team in 2023.
Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 28 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.
