Football
ESPN staff 6y

Kyle Beckerman signs new contract to stay with Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake has re-signed captain Kyle Beckerman for a 12th season with the club.

The 35-year-old was out of contract after last season but has now signed a multi-year deal to stay on at RSL, which did not reveal the length or terms of the contract.

"This is home. It's where we wanted to be," Beckerman said in a statement. "What we built in the second half of the season was so exciting to be a part of.

"To be able to be here for a couple more years and build with these young guys -- they are going to be another year older and a little bit more experienced -- there is a lot of upside for this team. To be here and be a part of it is exciting."

Beckerman is Major League Soccer's all-time career leader in games played, games started and minutes played in the regular season among outfield players. He has been named an All-Star nine times and helped RSL win the MLS Cup in 2009.

"I cannot imagine an RSL team next year without Kyle here. Without Kyle with the armband on. Without Kyle leading the charge," RSL coach Mike Petke said.

"I think that he is iconic here in Salt Lake, and that he is one of the best players in the history of this league. And I think he deserves and will earn anything that he gets. There will be a statue here of Kyle one day. It's a no-brainer that Kyle is back; we couldn't do this without him."

Beckerman has played with RSL since the middle of the 2007 season after coming over in a trade from the Colorado Rapids, where he had played since 2002. Beckerman began his career with the now-defunct Miami Fusion.

The defensive midfielder, who made news earlier this offseason by cutting off his trademark dreadlocks, has made 58 appearances for the U.S. national team and started at the 2014 World Cup.

RSL is also reportedly close to a new deal with longtime goalkeeper Nick Rimando, according to Goal, which said the 38-year-old had decided to stay on rather than move to LAFC or the LA Galaxy.

^ Back to Top ^