Diego Fagundez is back.
The New England Revolution's first-ever Homegrown has returned to Foxborough, where he spent the first ten years of his professional career.
Fagundez made his Major League Soccer debut at 16 years, 173 days (the youngest in Revs history) and amassed 261 appearances (2nd all-time for the club) before departing for Austin FC in 2021.
Here, he collected 15 goals and 21 helpers in 86 appearances. He moved to the LA Galaxy in 2024, helping them win the MLS Cup.
Now, he's back in his home state, signing a one-year contract with the Revs through the remainder of the 2026 MLS season, with a club option through the 2027 MLS campaign (June 2027).
"I think in five years [I've been away], I've learned a lot of new things," Fagundez said. "I've grown as a player. When I was here, I wasn't really vocal. I would just show what kind of player I was.
"In the last five years, going to Austin and going to LA, I've learned how to use my voice more and be a leader in certain ways, especially with the younger kids. So, that's one thing I'm trying to bring here is leadership."
Fagundez admitted there were a lot of emotions about returning to the Revs, noting, "I always said I wanted to come back."
Fagundez, now 31, is synonymous with the Revs, accumulating 53 goals (2nd all-time), 45 assists (4th all-time), and 16,868 minutes (7th all-time). He will look to add to these accolades as he hunts for trophies.
"I think after being here for so many years and leaving with no silverware, that's the one thing that I want to come back and try to do,” Fagundez said.
Head coach Marko Mitrovic believes that Fagundez will be an asset, saying he's an experienced player who plays "a position of need." He also lauded the attacker's creativity and ability to combine.
That said, Fagundez will likely need some time since his last game was in October.
"Now we have Diego who is almost five months off since he played last time, so we have to be patient and also patient with the expectations, especially at the beginning, until he gets in proper shape – which I have to be fair, I’m very positive with his fitness level and his standing knowing that he didn’t have a team training for so long," Mitrovic said.
Fagundez is excited to suit up for the Revolution again, whenever that may come.
"They gave me a lot here," Fagundez said. "They gave me an opportunity to start my career. To still be doing it years later, and still enjoying it, is something that I’m looking forward to.
"Especially playing at [Gillette Stadium], where I grew up coming to games before that, and now being able to play again there after waiting five years. Of course, it’s going to be exciting.
