The New England Revolution is finalizing a deal to sign Hungary international midfielder Daniel Gazdag after being bought out by the Columbus Crew, sources briefed on the situation tell The Athletic.Gazdag will not be a designated player for New England while the buyout opens a DP spot for the Crew, sources add.The Revs give a fresh start to long-proven 30-year-oldin MLS. Gazdag should fit the team’s system better than Columbus’ possession-based ethos, especially alongside Carles Gil and Jack Harrison in attack.A departure from Columbus for Gazdag had been a possibility much of the summer. The move clears a DP spot for Columbus who is working on potential deals to add, the top of which is Santi Rodriguez, as previously reported by The Athletic.The deal is a complicated one but is very advanced and the Crew are optimistic to get it done but it’s not there yet, sources say. Rodriguez is a long-term target for the Crew. The summer transfer window in MLS closes on Wednesday, September 2.Rodriguez, 26, excelled for NYCFC in MLS prior to joining Botafogo in the winter of 2025. He had 16 goals and six assists in his final MLS season and won the MLS Cup with NYCFC in 2021.Gazdag starred for years for the Philadelphia Union, scoring at least 14 goals in the league every season from 2022-2024. He had 72 goals and 24 assists in 161 appearances for the Union from an attacking midfield role for a high-pressing and transition based team.Acquired by Columbus in April of 2025, Gazdag never quite found that same form over the last 16 months. It took 16 games to get his first MLS goal for the Crew and then was benched by the end of the season. He fared a bit better this year, with four goals in all competitions, but a fresh start for both player and club was much needed, be it now or the winter.Along the way, even as Gazdag’s time at the club didn’t go to plan, sources indicate he was a top professional and well-liked by his teammates and staff.Gazdag has 30 caps for Hungary and is a current international, appearing for his country in their last match in June against Sweden.Aug 28, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms