Real Salt Lake brought back another key member of its team Wednesday, announcing midfielder Luke Mulholland has re-signed with the club.
Mulholland will head into his sixth season with RSL in 2019 after dealing with an injury-riddled year in 2018.
“Last year was a difficult season for me because I’ve never missed a game because of injury. Dealing with that adversity made it the toughest season of my career, but I’m happy with my health right now and I’m delighted to stay with Real Salt Lake,” Mulholland said in a news release. “I feel like I have unfinished business and the best is yet to come for Luke Mulholland, and I’m really excited to give my best for the fans in Utah.”
Mulholland dealt with a back injury last year that limited him to four games played all year, including a pair of postseason appearances.
He has spent his entire Major League Soccer career with RSL since being acquired by the team in 2014 following a stint with the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the former North American Soccer League.
"I am happy that we were able to re-sign Luke," RSL head coach Mike Petke said in a news release. "After coming back from a devastating injury, I am looking forward to having him healthy in the preseason."
Mulholland has started 97 games in his 122 match appearances with RSL. He’s scored 16 goals and has 16 assists during his tenure with the team, while also playing in the MLS Cup playoffs in three of his five seasons.
“Luke has been an important part of our locker room for the last five years. He is a veteran presence on the field that can play in multiple roles, which is important to us,” RSL general manager Craig Waibel said in a news release. “He not only is a valuable player on the field and in the locker room, but really represents the club well in the community, and we’re glad to have him back.”
In addition to Mulholland, RSL has also re-signed midfielder Albert Rusnák and defender Tony Beltran in recent weeks while also signing Waibel to a multi-year contract.
Real Salt Lake opens its 2019 Major League Soccer schedule on March 2 at the Houston Dynamo. The team’s home opener is on March 9 against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.