Javier Morales signs multi-year extension with Real Salt Lake


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SANDY — Real Salt Lake midfielder Javier Morales signed a multi-year extension Thursday to remain with the club ahead of his 10th season in Major League Soccer.

Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The native of Lomas de Zamora, Argentina, who will be 36 in January, first signed with RSL in 2007 after stints with Lanus, Arsenal de Sarandi, Newell's Old Boys and Instituto in his native Argentina. The Argentine known as "Maestro" in the clubhouse made clear his intentions of remaining with the club until his retirement, which would put him in a select group in MLS history.

"I want to finish my career with Real Salt Lake," Morales said in a statement. "Real Salt Lake is the most important team in my life. It's the team that didn't just make me a better player. The club made me a better person. I came here and it was magic. Everything changed and everything was good for me and my family."

Morales was named RSL's most valuable player in 2015 — his third such honor — after leading the club with eight goals and 12 assists. He currently ranks 12th all-time in MLS history with 77 career assists, and he tops RSL's all-time list in assists, ranks second in goals (45) and third in appearances (211).

Real Salt Lake's Juan Manuel Martinez, Devon Sandoval andJavier Morales celebrate a 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo. (AP Photo/Eric Christian)
Real Salt Lake's Juan Manuel Martinez, Devon Sandoval andJavier Morales celebrate a 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo. (AP Photo/Eric Christian)

"I know Javi is hungrier than ever to get back on the field and make 2016 a year that we can be really proud of and I'm excited to have him back," RSL head coach Jeff Cassar said in a statement.

If Morales continues with RSL through retirement, he will remain in a group of just nine players in MLS history to play for one club in their career of 200 matches or more. Morales currently sits with former L.A. Galaxy star Cobi Jones, one-time RSL assistant and former Chicago Fire defender CJ Brown, Logan Pause and Gonzalo Segares of Chicago Fire, Columbus' Mike Clark, Dallas' Bobby Rhine and Los Angeles' Mauricio Cienfuegos.

"Every organization clamors and talks about identity," RSL general manager Craig Waibel said in a statement. "Keeping guys like Javier here who understand what this club has been through is important to that identity because for 10 years, Javi has helped establish (Real Salt Lake) and build a stadium and build a fan base and identify with that fan base. He really encompasses everything we are."

Real Salt Lake had its MLS-record-tying streak of seven-straight postseason appearances snapped in 2015. The club opens the 2016 season in Mexico with a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against UANL Tigres in February.

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