Diego Fagúndez

Diego Santiago Fagúndez Pepe (born 14 February 1995) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution.

Early life Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Fagúndez moved with his family to Leominster, Massachusetts when he was five years old. Fagúndez began his career playing for Leominster Youth Soccer.

He then went on to play for FC United (Massachusetts) and FC Greater Boston Bolts, before joining the New England Revolution academy team in 2009. He was a State Cup finalist with FC United 2005 and winner in 2006. He won the State Cup with FC Greater Boston Bolts in 2008 and 2009. He also played for the Massachusetts Olympic Development Program (ODP) from 2006 to 2009, as captain from 2008 to 2009. He was named a 2007–2008 Adidas Interregional All-Star as a member of the Region I ODP team. In his debut season he led the Revs' U-16 squad to a 14–7–8 record (50 pts), placing first in the Northeast Division of the US Soccer Development Academy. He scored 20 goals in 30 appearances, tying Felix Debona for the team lead in goals.

On 10 March 2011, Top Drawer Soccer named Fagúndez their number one ranked player nationally in the class of 2013.

Club career New England Revolution Fagúndez playing for the Revolution against Chicago Fire FC in 2013.

On 15 November 2010, Fagúndez was signed to a contract by the New England Revolution, making him the first ever homegrown player the Revolution signed from its youth academy. Although on the main club roster, he continued to train with and play for the academy team.

He made his full professional debut on 26 April 2011, in a Revs' 3–2 victory over D.C. United in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. He made his league debut on August 6, 2011, as a substitute against Chivas USA, where he drew a penalty (which was converted by Shalrie Joseph) and scored his first goal for New England.

Fagúndez became a regular starter for the New England Revolution in 2013, when he had a successful breakout season, scoring 13 goals and assisting 7. Fagúndez quickly became one of MLS's great young talents, and won player of the week honors in week 14 of the 2013 MLS season. Fagúndez obtained a US green card in October 2013 qualifying him as a domestic player under MLS squad rules. He was featured on an episode of documentary television show that MLS 36 in August 2013. MLS listed Fagúndez at no. 5 on its annual "24 under 24" list of best young players for the 2013 season.

Prior to the start of the 2015 season, rumors emerged of interest in Fagúndez from Serie A sides Atalanta B.C. and ACF Fiorentina, Neither side, however, was willing to match the $4 million fee asked by the Revolution for Fagúndez's services.

During the 2015 season, Fagúndez became the youngest player in MLS history to reach 100 appearances for his club.

Fagúndez was named the Midnight Riders Man of Year at the conclusion of the 2017 MLS season.

On 28 October 2018, prior to the Revolution's final match of the 2018 season, Fagúndez's father (who also serves as his agent) posted a tweet insinuating that it could be his son's final appearance for the franchise. The match, against the Montreal Impact, saw Fagúndez's 50th career MLS goal. He is currently the youngest player in MLS history to score 50 goals.

On 22 January 2019, multiple sources reported that the Revolution turned down an offer from Club Nacional de Football for Fagúndez.

The Revolution exercised Fagúndez's 2020 contract option prior to the start of the 2020 season.

Fagúndez made his 244th appearance for the Revolution in the franchises' 2020 season opener against the Chicago Fire, tying Jay Heaps for fourth most appearances all time.

Going into the final match of the 2020 regular season against the Philadelphia Union, Fagúndez was one appearance shy of breaking the Revolution's all-time appearance record, held by Shalrie Joseph. Fagúndez did not appear in the match, thus ending the season one appearance shy of breaking the record. The Revolution lost the match 2–0.

On 20 November 2020, as Fagúndez was nearing the end of his contract with the Revolution, news emerged that Fagúndez had received an offer for a contract extension from the Revolution as well as interest from other MLS clubs, and clubs in La Liga and Liga MX. In 2016, Fagúndez had signed a three-year contract plus a club option for a fourth year.

On 8 December 2020, the Revolution announced their end of season roster moves. Fagúndez was listed as out of contract with the franchise. On his personal Instagram account, he posted a farewell statement to the Revolution and their fans stating that it was time for him to move on. In an interview with The Boston Globes Frank Dell'Apa, Fagúndez stated that he wanted to remain with the team, but felt a low-ball offer was presented, and he declined to accept it.

Austin FC

On 5 January 2021, Fagúndez signed a one-year deal with Austin FC. On 24 April 2021, Fagúndez made his first starting appearance for his new team, and scored the first goal in the franchise's history in its 3–1 win over the Colorado Rapids. He would score again the following week, this time notching the game winner in the franchise's 1–0 win over Minnesota United FC. He was the Man of the Match for Austin's first-ever home match in a 0–0 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes and quickly became a fan favorite. Fagúndez scored his first goal of the 2022 season, an equalizer in a 1–1 draw against Seattle Sounders FC as a substitute. He also had Austin's first ever goal in national competition play in a 2–1 loss to San Antonio FC of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup on 20 April. Three days later, Fagúndez had two second half assists to come back from 2–0 and win 3–2 at D.C. United including the game-winning goal.

In February 2023, Fagúndez signed a new three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year. At the time of signing he was the club's all-time leader in assists with 20, having added 15 during the 2022 season. After a difficult Austin start to the 2023 season, Fagúndez received criticism from head coach Josh Wolff that he was not living up to his new contract.

LA Galaxy

On 1 August 2023, Fagúndez was traded to the LA Galaxy in return for Memo Rodríguez, $300,000 in General Allocation Money and potentially another $600,000 in General Allocation Money add-ons. The trade was not popular with Austin supporters, and was criticized as "desperate, over-reactionary, and frankly tone-deaf." Fagúndez scored his first goal for the Galaxy, an 82nd-minute game winner, on 21 September 2023, in a 4–3 victory over Minnesota United.

On 13 April 2024, Fagúndez scored his first goal of the 2024 LA Galaxy season, and in doing so became only the 10th player in MLS history to record at least 70 goals and 70 assists in regular-season play. He also tied Bobby Boswell for 20th all-time amongst all players in MLS history in regular-season games played, with 366. He and the Galaxy would go on to win the MLS Cup defeating the New York Redbulls 2-1 in the championship final.

Return to the New England Revolution On March 13, 2026, the New England Revolution announced that they had re-signed Fagúndez to a one-year contract until the end of the 2026 MLS season, with a club option to extend for a further year. Fagúndez made his first appearance for club on March 15, 2026, vs. Cincinnati FC. He recorded his 80th assist one minute after being subbed in. He made his 262nd appearance for the Revolution on March 15, 2026, surpassing Shalrie Joseph for 2nd-most all-time.

On April 14, 2026, Fagúndez scored his first goal since returning to the Revolution in a U.S. Open Cup round of 32 victory over Rhode Island FC.

International career Fagúndez is a former Uruguay youth international. He made his debut for Uruguay U20 team in October 2012. He played two games for Uruguay U20 against Peru in that month. In the first he entered as a substitute in the 83rd minute; in the second fixture he was brought on in the 45th minute.

In April 2013, he stated that he would be willing to represent either Uruguay or the United States at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup. However, he was not called up by Uruguay and was not eligible for represent U.S. at the time due to not having citizenship.

In August 2014, he was called up again for the Uruguay U20 national team and played in two games against Peru, a 1–0 win victory and a 1–1 draw.

In January 2015, Fagúndez was called up for the 2015 South American Youth Championship. He played in Uruguay's 1–0 victory over Colombia.

Personal life Diego's father, Washington Fagúndez, was a professional footballer in Uruguay who played as a goalkeeper with Central Español in the 1990s. Diego is the godson of former Uruguayan international footballer and 1995 Copa América winner Diego Dorta, after whom he is named.

Fagúndez is married to his wife Paige they have three children together. During his first stint with the Revolution he described himself as "a soccer player in the morning and a farmer in the afternoon." This was due to him having multiple animals in his house including 7 dogs, along with multiple rabbits, turtles, iguanas, fish and chickens.

Fagúndez received his U.S. green card in October 2013, which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes. On 13 March 2024, Fagúndez announced he had become a U.S. citizen on social media.

Career statistics

Honours LA Galaxy MLS Cup: 2024

Individual Midnight Riders Man of the Year: 2017 New England Revolution All-Time Team