MLS midfielder and U.S. youth international joins RIFC ahead of next match
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (May 10, 2024) – Rhode Island FC announced today it has acquired midfielder Jack Panayotou on loan from New England Revolution, pending league and federation approval. The former MLS Next All-Star becomes the first acquisition via loan for RIFC.
“Jack is a skilled and creative midfielder and we’re excited to bring him into our club,” said Rhode Island FC Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith. “His ability to unlock a defense and create opportunities for himself and his teammates is extremely valuable. He’s a talented, young player with a lot of potential that will help our team on the field.”
The 19-year-old brings 10 goals and four assists across three professional seasons. Panayotou began the 2024 season with the New England Revolution first team, coming off the bench in the club’s first home match against Toronto FC. In four MLS Next Pro appearances with New England Revolution II this year, Panayotou made four starts, logged 341 minutes, scored three goals and added one assist.
Last season, Panayotou split time between New England Revolution and New England Revolution II. He made 11 MLS appearances, logging 316 minutes and two starts. Panayotou also contributed to the Revolution’s MLS Next Pro side, recording five goals and three assists in 13 matches played.
Panayotou joined the New England Revolution Academy in 2019. In his fourth Academy season, Panayotou led the Revolution Under-19 side to the 2022 MLS NEXT Cup Championship with a tournament-high six goals, including the match-winner in the final against San Francisco Glens SC. The Cambridge, Massachusetts native made his professional debut on April 3, 2022 with New England Revolution II. At the end of the 2022 season, Panayotou was named Academy Player of the Year.
Before he became the 10th Homegrown Player in Revolution history on January 10, 2023, Panayotou recorded seven goals and added three assists in one season at Georgetown University. The midfielder was named a Third Team All-BIG EAST selection. At the international level, Panayotou has earned multiple U.S. Soccer Men’s Youth National Team call-ups at the Under-19 and Under-23 levels. Panayotou most recently represented the United States in October at the 2023 Pan American Games, finishing fourth.
Name: Jack Panayotou
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 155
Birthday: June 5, 2004
Hometown: Cambridge, Mass.
Previous teams: New England Revolution
Pronunciation: pan-uh-YO-too