The New England Revolution have agreed to a trade for Austin FC’s Nick Lima before the league’s trade window opens on Dec. 11, sources close to the deal told The Athletic.
In exchange for Lima, a 29-year-old former San Jose Earthquake infielder, the Revs will send Austin about $275,000 in GAM. The deal was agreed to but won’t take effect until Dec. 11, when the league picks up the deal records. The MLS Cup is on December 9th.
Lima has been in Austin since the club’s 2021 season and has been a regular in the back line, making 104 appearances. He started his career in San Jose and played 107 games for the Earthquakes from 2017-2020. He earned nine caps with the USMNT, the last of which came in 2019.
New England starting right back Brandon Bye is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in late August and could miss early 2024 as he continues his recovery.
The move kicks off a busy season for both clubs.
New England has yet to officially name Bruce Arena’s successor as both athletic director and coach. Curt Onalfo is the current interim athletic director and Clint Peay finished the year as interim head coach. With designated player Gustavo Buu out of contract, the Revs still have to decide on the acquisition option of talented winger Tomas Cankalai.
Austin’s rebuild is well underway under new sporting director Rodolfo Borrell, with the summer trade of Diego Fagundez and a late-season roster overhaul with nine contract options declined and one loan expiring.
The Revs finished fifth in the East and were eliminated in the first round by the Philadelphia Union. Austin finished 12th in the West and missed the playoffs.
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