The Atlanta United will bring back Greg Garza after the team and the defender agreed to a permanent multi-year contract on Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Garza, 26, spent the 2017 MLS season with the United on loan from Club Tijuana in LIGA MX. It is believed his contract had run out with the team.
“Greg was an integral part of our first-year success and we’re happy we were able to bring him back on a permanent basis,” Atlanta United technical director Carlos Bocanegra said in a statement of the fullback. “He’s a natural fit for our style of play and in addition to his on-field performance, which was recognized by his place in the MLS All-Star Game, Greg has become an important figure in the locker room.”
Garza made 26 appearances, including 25 starts, for Atlanta United in his first MLS season. He had two goals and five assists. He started the MLS All-Star Game against Real Madrid.
Garza missed nine matches after suffering two hamstring injuries late in the season. The second injury, suffered against New England on Sept. 13, came two games after returning from the first injury. Garza missed the remainder of the regular season and Atlanta United’s playoff loss to Columbus on Oct. 26.
The team had no updates on two other on-loan players, left midfielder Yamil Asad and right fullback Anton Walkes, as well as possible free-agent midfielder Jeff Larentowicz.
