SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake have re-signed defender Marcelo Silva to a new one-year contract extension. The Uruguayan will return for his fourth season with the Claret and Cobalt.

“Marcelo has shown himself a standout center back at the MLS level.  In the last three years he has proven that he can be a high-level contributor to a winning MLS side on a weekly basis,” RSL General Manager Elliot Fall said.  “In pairing him with Nedum Onuoha, Justen Glad, and Eric Holt, we have a group at that position that can compete with any in the league.”

Silva, 30, appeared in 19 regular season matches for RSL in 2019 in which he started 14 games, scoring two goals. Silva also started in RSL’s MLS Cup Playoff match against the Portland Timbers, giving the veteran defender his third career MLS Playoff start.

Back for more 💪

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) January 6, 2020

Silva originally arrived in Utah midway through the 2017 season from Spanish club Real Zaragoza.

“Marcelo is a top center back.  We feel that if we want to be one of the top teams in the league, we need to have three-to-four very good center backs.  He’s a guy that shows up in big games,” RSL Head Coach Freddy Juarez said.  “His presence on the field gives us confidence because of his demeanor as a powerful and strong leader and he can help make our younger players better.”

Real Salt Lake’s current roster headed into 2020, listed alphabetically by position, is below:

Goalkeepers (3): Zac MacMath, David Ochoa, Andrew Putna
Defenders (7): Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera, Erik Holt, Alvin Jones, Nedum Onuoha, Marcelo Silva, Donny Toia
Midfielders (7): Luis Arriaga, Nick Besler, Damir Kreilach, Everton Luiz, Justin Portillo, Pablo Ruiz, Albert Rusnák
Forwards (6): Corey Baird, Sam Johnson, Douglas Martinez, Jefferson Savarino, Tate Schmitt, Julian Vazquez

The club now only has five more roster spots to fill prior to the 2020 season kicking off against Orlando City on the 29th of February.