Minnesota United’s center back Ike Opara couldn’t have wished for a better end of 2019 MLS regular season. Shortly after being named MLS Defender of the Year for the second time in his career on Thursday, he also received a contract extension.
According to The Athletic’s Jeff Rueter, Opara inked a new “multi-year contract” with United that will keep him with the organization for the foreseeable future. Rueter also reports that the 30-year-old is getting a significant raise, and his new contract qualifies as a Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) deal.
Opara joined Minnesota in January and has since established himself as one of the team’s leaders and key players. He played 30 games during the regular season, contributing with three goals and one assist while also helping United get to their first playoff appearance in the franchise’s history.
With Opara in their back four, Minnesota allowed only 43 goals. This was the third least in the Eastern Conference and 28 goals less than United conceded in 2018.
After starting his professional career with San Jose Earthquakes, where he played for three seasons, Ike Opara joined Sporting Kansas City in 2012. He made a total of 113 appearances with Kansas City through 2018 and was part of the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup winning teams.
Opara is also U.S. international, having made his USMNT debut in January 2018.
