First Slovenian player in MLS
The New England Revolution revealed the identity of their mystery center back on Wednesday, announcing that signed defender Antonio Mlinar Delamea via transfer from Slovenian club Olimpija Ljubljana.
Mlinar Delamea, 25, was acquired using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). Revs president Brian Bilello teased the signing earlier in the week, tweeting on Monday that the club had signed an unnamed international center back using TAM. ESPN’s Taylor Twellman reported that the club signed Mlinar Delamea on Tuesday.
“We are very pleased to add to our defense with an experienced center back like Toni,” Revolution GM Michael Burns said in a statement released by the club. “We’re excited to have him here for the beginning of training camp and we look forward to getting him a full preseason of action on the field with his new teammates.”
Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, Mlinar Delamea, who becomes the first ever MLS signing from Slovenia, had spent his entire career in his home country, making 134 appearances in all competitions for Olimpija Ljubljana and NK Interblock Ljubljana. He helped Olimpija win the club’s first Slovenian first division title in 2015-16 and made 20 appearances while captaining the club to their current position atop the league table this season.
An experienced former youth international, Mlinar Delamea recently made his senior international debut, coming on at halftime of Slovenia’s friendly against Poland on Nov. 14.
Mlinar Delamea will begin preseason training with the Revs on Wednesday at their camp in Foxborough, Mass.
