Marcelo Silva Signs Contract Extension With Real Salt Lake

Dec 16, 2022, 2:55 PM

Marcelo Silva completes a pass against DC United on September 10 at America First Field. (Photo by Laura Dearden/Real Salt Lake)

(Photo by Laura Dearden/Real Salt Lake)

BY TOM HACKETT

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake defender Marcelo Silva has signed a multi-year contract extension, the club has announced.

Further details on the agreement have not been disclosed.

Marcelo Silva Returns

Silva, 33, first joined Real Salt Lake on July 3, 2017, and has since appeared in 199 games for the Claret and Cobalt. 114 of which have been starts.

All things Marcelo ✍️

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 16, 2022

“I am very happy and excited to continue my career with this team and this city,” said Silva, just after signing his new deal upon his return from celebrating holidays with family in South America. “I look forward to continued success under Pablo’s guidance, and I cannot wait to kick off the new season in front of our amazing fans.”

The 2022 campaign marked a career-best season for Silva who took over the armband and captain’s duty following Damir Kreilach’s season-ending back injury suffered early in the season. In 2022, Silva started 32 games and mustered 2,895 minutes, both of which were season-bests for the Uruguayan. He also tied his season-best record for goals in 2022, his two goals scored matched his 2019 campaign.

When Silva partnered with Justen Glad in the backline, the duo proved to be a formidable match for opposing teams. In 2022 alone, when Silva and Glad played alongside one another they helped Real Salt Lake to nine clean sheets.

Prior to Real Salt Lake, Silva managed 134 professional appearances in Spain at both the La Liga and second division levels with Almería, Las Palmas, Valladolid and Zaragoza between 2010 and 2017. During the 2012 season, Silva made 11 appearances on loan to famed Peñarol side in his native Uruguay.

The Silva news comes following news that 2022 Real Salt Lake forward Bobby Wood has joined the New England Revolution as a free agent. Wood, who joined Real Salt Lake following a decade spent in Germany, did not have his contract renewed by the club. During his two-year spell at Real Salt Lake, Wood failed to stay healthy and spent the majority of his stint sidelined with injury.