Galaxy sign Van Damme to contract extension
The LA Galaxy announced Wednesday that defender Jelle Van Damm put pen to paper on a contract extension.
Van Damme, who was named the Galaxy's Defender of the Year in 2016, will occupy the third and final Designated Player spot on their roster.
After joining the Galaxy from Standard Liege last season, Van Damme went on to make 29 regular-season appearances and three starts during the playoffs.
"Jelle showed last season that he is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in Major League Soccer," Galaxy general manager Pete Vagenas said.
"His contract will still give us the flexibility to bolster our roster during the summer. He is a leader, a winner, and a competitor and will continue to be a centerpiece along our backline. We are thrilled to have Jelle as a member of the Galaxy for years to come."
The 33-year-old played an instrumental role in a backline that boasted the third-best goals-against record (39) in MLS last season. He finished as runner-up for Defender of the Year behind FC Dallas centre-back Matt Hedges.
Van Damme, who's been capped 30 times by the Belgian national team, previously spent time with Ajax, Southampton, Anderlecht, and Wolverhampton before making over 200 appearances for Standard Liege.
Giovani dos Santos and Romain Alessandrini occupy the other two Designated Player spots on the Galaxy's roster.