Real Salt Lake re-signs Beckerman to multi-year contract

Though his signature dreadlocks won't grace Rio Tinto Stadium any longer, Kyle Beckerman isn't ready to call it quits at Real Salt Lake just yet.

The club announced Tuesday it has re-signed 35-year-old captain Beckerman to a new contract, penning the free agent to a multi-year deal ahead of his 12th season with the Claret-and-Cobalt.

Terms of his new deal were not disclosed.

"This is home. It's where we wanted to be," Beckerman said in a club-issued statement. "What we built in the second half of the season was so exciting to be a part of. To be able to be here for a couple more years and build with these young guys - they are going to be another year older and a little bit more experienced - there is a lot of upside for this team."

Beckerman has made 338 total appearances for Real Salt Lake since joining out of the Colorado Rapids in 2007. The midfield star has 33 goals and 37 assists in all competitions and head coach Mike Petke is hoping his leadership qualities continue to see the team through its growing pains.

"I cannot imagine an RSL team next year without Kyle here. Without Kyle with the armband on. Without Kyle leading the charge," Petke offered. "I think that he is iconic here in Salt Lake, and that he is one of the best players in the history of this league, and I think he deserves and will earn anything that he gets. There will be a statue here of Kyle one day. It's a no-brainer that Kyle is back; we couldn't do this without him."

Beckerman led RSL to MLS Cup glory in 2009, has 58 caps for the U.S. men's national team, and is currently the longest-serving outfield player in MLS, with 432 regular-season matches under his belt across RSL, Colorado, and the now-defunct Miami Fusion.

Beckerman made $825,000 in 2017, playing 26 times and scoring four goals.