Noonan Signs With Norwegian Club

Becomes Second Rev To Transfer This Offseason

January 23, 2008

By Nick Williams

Pat Noonan is going overseas. Just a week after the Revolution declined to pick up the option on his MLS contract, the veteran forward is joining Norwegian club Aalesund on a free transfer.

Terms of the deal are unknown.

Pat Noonan signed with Norwegian club Aalesund after the Revolution declined to exercise the option in his MLS contract. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

Noonan will join former Rev and MLS goalkeeper Adin Brown at Aalesund, which currently sits in 11th place in Norway's 14-team First Division, 24 points behind first-place Brann Bergen.

The American forward was recently recalled to the U.S. National Team camp in Carson, Calif., in preparation for the Americans' Feb. 6 tilt against rival Mexico. Noonan started and earned an assist in the United States' 2-0 victory over Sweden on Jan. 19.

“We want to thank Pat for his tremendous service to the organization during his career,” said Revolution Director of Soccer Michael Burns. “He is a model professional who was a big factor in our recent success. We wish Pat the best of luck in his new endeavor overseas.”

Noonan, 27, played five seasons for the Revs after being drafted in the first round (ninth overall) by the team in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. He scored nine goals in 35 games for the Revs last season and netted 42 goals in 137 games over five season with the Revs. He is tied with Joe-Max Moore for second place on the club's all-time scoring list behind Taylor Twellman.

The Ballwin, Missouri native also played in 17 playoff games with the Revolution, scoring five goals. Noonan's best season came in 2004 when he notched career highs in goals (11), assists (8), games (29) and shots (75).

Earlier this month, the Revs lost another offensive player to an overseas club when midfielder Andy Dorman signed with Scottish club St. Mirren. Last year, the Revs lost Clint Dempsey to English Premier League club Fulham.

About two weeks ago, MLS rejected a $2.5 million bid for Twellman from Preston North End of England's second division.

Revolution Notes:

The Revolution's technical staff will conduct an invitation-only tryout today in advance of the team’s preseason training camp, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 29.

The invitation-only try-outs will run 5-8 p.m. at the Dana Farber Field House on the grounds of Gillette Stadium. Revolution head coach Steve Nicol, assistant coach Paul Mariner and goalkeepers coach Gwynne Williams, as well as director of soccer Mike Burns, will oversee the approximately 40 Revolution hopefuls who will attempt to earn a full-team tryout during the club’s upcoming two-month preseason.

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