DaMarcus Beasley and the Dynamo have come to terms on a new one-year deal.
The wait is over. DaMarcus Beasley is returning to the Dynamo for the 2017 season.
Beasley, who was a free agent once his contract expired at the end of 2016, informed the club of his decision Friday. Dynamo general manager Matt Jordan said the agreement is a one-year deal.
Negotiations went back and forth throughout the offseason.
Beasley, 34, made a $750,000 salary last year as a Designated Player, according to the MLS Players Union. Though financial details of his new contract were not disclosed, the Dynamo wanted to bring him back at a price significantly lower than what he made last season.
“It has been a long process, but that is very normal,” Jordan said. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. We feel this is going to be an important next step for this team.”
Beasley is likely to have a leg up for the starting left back spot in Wilmer Cabrera’s four-man back line. Dylan Remick, who the Dynamo selected in stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft, is the other candidate to start.
The United States’ only four-time World Cup veteran, Beasley played for the Dynamo from 2014-16. He made 62 appearances — all starts. Between 2004 and 2014, Beasley played in Denmark, Mexico, Germany, Scotland and England — where he contributed to Manchester City’s run to the UEFA Champions League semifinals.
Beasley recently finished camp with the U.S. men’s national team, the first in Bruce Arena’s second stint as head coach. He subbed on for the final four minutes of a friendly against Jamaica on Feb. 3.
“Not only does he add a lot of quality to our roster, but with all the new faces we have on the team, he’ll be a very important veteran presence in this group,” Jordan said. “We’re thrilled to have come to an agreement to bring him back.”