Atlanta United re-signs Larentowicz

Atlanta United midfielder Jeff Larentowicz blocks a pass while defending against the New York Red Bulls during the first half in a MLS soccer match on Sunday, May 20, 2018, in Atlanta.   Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Atlanta United midfielder Jeff Larentowicz blocks a pass while defending against the New York Red Bulls during the first half in a MLS soccer match on Sunday, May 20, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Jeff Larentowicz will play for Atlanta United in the 2020 MLS season.

The 36-year-old free agent and the team announced an agreement to a contract Thursday.

It will be Larentowicz’s fourth season with the club in which the defensive midfielder has helped it win the MLS Cup in 2018 and the U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup in 2019.

Under manager Gerardo Martino and then Frank de Boer, Larentowicz has totaled 94 appearances, including 78 starts, during the regular season. He has two goals, which doesn’t include his rocket against Club America in the Campeones Cup, and four assists.

Atlanta United posted six shutouts last season when Larentowicz started and 31 overall during the regular season and playoffs in three seasons.

Larentowicz ranks fifth in MLS history among all players in minutes played (34,478). His 418 appearances are second-most in MLS history among field players  and 386 starts are third-most.

The financial terms of the contract weren’t disclosed. Larentowicz received guaranteed compensation of $210,000 in the 2019 season.

Larentowicz is a player who is known to be prepared for every practice and every game and has consistently discussed the need for the players on his teams to take each opportunity to improve seriously. But he’s also known to have a sharp sense of humor in the locker room. He cares deeply about the players in MLS and the league, serving on the MLS Players Association Executive board for the past several years in helping craft Collective Bargaining Agreements. He’s a member of the group participating in the ongoing negotiations.

Atlanta United's roster for 2020 season after Thursday's announcement: 
Mo Adams
Ezequiel Barco
George Bello
George Campbell
Andrew Carleton
Franco Escobar
Jon Gallagher
Leandro Gonzalez Pirez
Julian Gressel
Brad Guzan
Lagos Kunga
Jeff Larentowicz
Brooks Lennon
Josef Martinez
Pity Martinez
Brendan Moore
Luiz Nascimento
Dion Pereira
Eric Remedi
Miles Robinson
Hector Villalba