FOXBOROUGH, MA– Revolution goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović has been transferred to English Premier League side Chelsea F.C. for a fee of €16,000,000 with future add-ons up to €2,000,000 ($17,291,689 +$2,161,461 in add-ons).
This is the most expensive outgoing transfer for a goalkeeper in Major League Soccer history.
T-4th for most expensive transfer in Major League Soccer History.
Foxboro, Massachusetts: New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic (99) celebrates a 4-0 win in a MLS game between the New England Revolution and CF Montreal at Gillette Stadium on April 8, 2023. (c) Burt Granofsky
On April 26th, 2021, Petrović signed with New England on a 3-year deal for a fee of €650,000 ($700,000).
In his two seasons with New England, Petrović was a finalist for both 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year and 2022 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. During the 2023 season, Petrović became the fastest player in MLS history to record 5 penalty saves and has outperformed his xGOT by 16.2 since he joined the league (Next highest was 5.5 in that given time frame). On June 23rd, he was named an MLS All-Star, and as of August 24th, 2023, is the favorite to win 2023 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
In a statistical point of view, Petrović appeared in 43 games (3,870 minutes) for the New England Revolution allowing 54 goals and holding 14 clean sheets. His career totals are 184 total saves, a 77.25% save percentage, a 5/16 (31.25% penalty save rate), with a 62.45% passing percentage and 31.55% long ball success rate.
He was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday 6 times (Week 16 in 2022 and Weeks 10,17,21,25 and 26 in 2023.
New England Revolution goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović (99) poses in goal versus Columbus Crew. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution
During the 2023 campaign, The Athletics‘ Tom Bogert reported that Petrović was being scouted by Manchester United F.C. in June, and had multiple bids rejected in the range 0f $8,000,000 + add-ons from FC Nantes of the French Football Ligue Un and Nottingham Forest F.C. of the English Premier League at the begining of July.
Djordje Petrovic is reportedly upset over transfer offers being rejected according to @tombogert and @SethMan31 has some additional details regarding the offers the #NERevs have received https://t.co/hXVCcchTgy
— The Blazing Musket (@BlazingMusket) July 31, 2023
It was first reported by The Blazing Musket‘s Seth Macomber, Sam Minton and The Athletics’ Tom Bogert on July 31st and August 1st that Petrović was upset and did not participate in team training prior to the team’s Leagues Cup match versus Atlas F.C. He ended up missing that match and then returned for the team’s next knockout match versus Querétaro F.C. in which the team was defeated in a penalty shootout.
Chelsea submit formal proposal for New England Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic ?? #CFC
Bid worth £15m, as reported tonight by @JacobSteinberg. Negotiations are now ongoing. pic.twitter.com/cRrW4WMN7d
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2023
On August 18th, 2023, Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Chelsea FC had submitted a formal proposal for Đorđe Petrović with a bid close to €15,000,000 ($16,202,250).
EXCL: Djordje Petrović to Chelsea, here we go! Verbal agreement in place with New England Revolution on €16m deal ???? #CFC
Medical tests booked on Wednesday for the Serbian goalkeeper who’s gonna compete with Robert Sanchez. pic.twitter.com/5h6lOyPRP7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2023
Just 3 days later, Fabrizio confirmed that the verbal agreement was in place for a €16,000,000 deal ($17,282,400).
Đorđe Petrović did not train Wednesday in Foxborough but was present and seen saying goodbye to teammates before traveling to England for medicals.
Understand Djordje Petrović will sign on Wednesday as new Chelsea player — it will be 7 year contract until 2030 ???
Told it will include option for one more year, 2031.
$17.5m fixed fee plus $2.2m add-ons to New England Revolution.
Exclusive story & here we go, confirmed. pic.twitter.com/ihe2xOTvzq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2023
It has been confirmed that Petrović’s medicals had to be pushed back to the end of the week due to visa application issues.
The Revolution are actively looking to replace a goalkeeper in the free agent market, with targets being Josh Cohen of Israeli Premier Club Maccabi Haifa F.C. and current free agent goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík.
The New England Revolution (12-7-4, 43 pts.) return to MLS play on August 26th as the team heads to Montréal, Quebec, Canada to face CF Montréal (10-2-12, 32 pts.) in an MLS Match. The match kicks off at Saputo Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
(Editor’s Note: For more of Burt Granofsky’s photos, click on the link)
