Veteran defender Chris Wingert returns to Real Salt Lake

Fresh off a stint with New York City FC, veteran defender Chris Wingert has returned to Real Salt Lake, as the club announced Wednesday it has reacquired Wingert off waivers.

NYCFC let Wingert go at the end of the 2015 season. He returns to the club he spent eight seasons with between 2007 and 2014.

"There are a lot of reasons bringing Chris Wingert back to Real Salt Lake makes sense. His versatility brings depth and strengthens every position on our back line and he is a solid veteran leader that can mix well with the team," RSL general manager Craig Waibel said in a statement.

"As we build the team for this season, we want to make sure we get the culture of the locker room right and with Chris we know that he adds a very positive influence."

Wingert is an established veteran in MLS, having made 296 appearances over a 13-year career, including 27 with NYCFC in its inaugural season. Wingert has scored just the one goal, in 2010, but has 16 assists to his name too.

The 33-year-old left full-back isn't the only former RSL player to return to the club this offseason: Armenian international Yura Movsisyan also joined the team at Rio Tinto Stadium for the 2016 campaign. In Wingert, RSL gains another piece of the puzzle that helped the team win its 2009 MLS Cup.

"I'm very excited," Wingert said. "Craig and Jeff (Cassar) worked hard to make this happen and fortunately it all worked out and it was great news. It's a little bit surreal. I'm just pumped up to get back with the guys and get rolling."