One of FC Dallas’ most prominent faces of the 2015 MLS Cup Playoff run is back for more.
On Friday, the club announced they have agreed to terms with defender Walker Zimmerman on a new contract ahead of the 2016 season.
“It’s always good to be back with teammates that are not only friends on the field, but some of my best friends off the field,” he said via phone Friday morning. “I think our team has gotten a lot stronger with the signings that we’ve made in the offseason. Hopefully it’s just a year where the team can build on last season’s success.”
Zimmerman, whose Generation Adidas contract expired at the end of last season, has spent recent weeks in Europe training with a pair of Scandinavian clubs while contemplating the next step in his career. But in the end, the 22 year old knew that he wanted to return to Dallas and finish what the team fell just short of last season.
“For me, it was something I wanted to get the experience of going overseas to see what that was like. It was really important for me and just being able to see the difference,” Zimmerman said. “Ultimately it did lead me back to Dallas. I’m looking forward to the season, looking forward to getting back playing and it should be a good season for us.”
Dallas’ seventh overall pick in the 2013 SuperDraft was largely utilized off the bench during the 2015 regular season, but made his biggest splash at the biggest time - scoring the series-tying goal and then series-winning penalty kick in a crucial second leg of the Western Conference Semifinal series against Seattle. With the 2016 season just over one month away, he’s looking to build on that momentum and grow his role within the team.
“It’s just finding consistency…I’ll always be ready, whatever role that may be and I’m just looking forward to helping the team out in any way I can,” Zimmerman said. “I’m feeling good - really good form and fitness - and I think I should be able to step in and join up with them no problem.”
