The Columbus Crew announced on Monday that they have given Gyasi Zardes a contract extension that will make him one of the club's three Designated Player.
Zardes, 27, joined the Crew from the LA Galaxy ahead of the 2018 season and scored 19 goals in his first season in Columbus en route to Major League Soccer's Comeback Player of the Year.
The multi-year extension sees Zardes join Federico Higuain and Pedro Santos as the Crew's DPs.
Our guy 👇#Crew96 x @gyasinho pic.twitter.com/8O43qUpcN0
— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) May 13, 2019
"We're thrilled that Gyasi has agreed to be a part of this team for the foreseeable future, as it shows his commitment to our club and to our community," Crew SC president Tim Bezbatchenko said in a club statement. "Gyasi is a player who truly understands the culture of the Columbus Crew and whose work ethic is second to none."
Zardes told the club's website: "As far as this team, they've welcomed me with open arms since the moment I got here and I'm thankful for that."
The Galaxy academy product has been a key figure in first-year Crew manager Caleb Porter's plans, scoring four goals and adding an assist in 12 appearances for the Crew this season.
Zardes also has seven goals for the U.S. national team in 44 appearances.