The Philadelphia Union’s longest-tenured player will be back for another season.
The club re-signed right back Ray Gaddis to a new contract Wednesday, setting up his eighth season with the Union.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Ray back to the Union,” Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner said. “He is a tireless worker with an incredible heart and attitude to match. A crucial part of our locker room, he provides an excellent veteran presence on and off the field. He also serves as a role model for our younger players, particularly our young fullbacks.”
Gaddis will be an important part of the depth chart at right back, as he’ll fight for minutes with Olivier Mbaizo.
In recent years, Gaddis was shipped over to left back to fill a need, but the Union are committed to keeping the 35th overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft in his natural right back slot for the 2019 season.
Gaddis, who is the all-time minutes leader in club history, can earn the most appearances by a Union player if he takes the field for four contests in 2019.
In his MLS career, Gaddis has played in 172 matches and recorded eight assists, but he has yet to score a goal.