Veteran defender Tony Beltran re-signed with Real Salt Lake for the 2019 season after being sidelined for all of 2018 due to injury.
“I have heard some writers say that the only book that matters is the next one. Now I understand the same holds true in sports,” Beltran said in a statement released by the club. “For a long time, I didn’t know if there was going to be another game, the next one, or where that game would be. Next year, RSL and I will continue the journey we started together 11 years ago. The next game will be here, in this city that means so much to me, a place that I’m proud to call home.”
Beltran signed with RSL in 2008 as the third overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, and has been with the team ever since. He has 245 regular season appearances and 230 starts in his career with Real Salt Lake. He’s tallied 20,652 minutes. The RSL veteran is part of a small group of seven players in MLS history to have played for only one team and have 230 career starts.
“Tony is part of the fiber of this club,” RSL General Manager Craig Waibel said in the statement. “Even as our roster evolves with a young core in place, it’s important to have players like Tony who are more than capable in their positions and excellent leaders in the locker room as well.”
Beltran is a two-time MLS All-Star and one of three remaining members of RSL’s 2009 MLS Cup winning campaign, along with midfielder Kyle Beckerman and goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
“I am very happy that we were able to re-sign Tony,” RSL Head Coach Mike Petke said. “He is someone that embodies the character, professionalism and playing ability that I want to represent this team.”