:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69585745/CG5_1301.0.jpg)
Future Ring of Honor inductee Andre Blake is staying in Chester.
The Philadelphia Union announced Thursday that they have reached a new agreement with the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year that will keep him on the books through 2024 with a club option for 2025.
“As the rest of the league recognized last year, we have the best keeper in North America, and he is continuously getting better,” Sporting Director Ernst Tanner stated in a news release announcing the new deal. “While his play speaks for itself on the field, his mentality and the leadership role he has taken in our young squad has been as equally important. We are thrilled that he will remain with our club for years to come.”
Blake is currently away with the Jamaica National Team for the Gold Cup but the 30-year-old former No. 1 SuperDraft pick out of the University of Connecticut has continued his strong form into the 2021 season.
Terms of the deal were not released, but Blake is currently the third highest paid goalkeeper in the league at $650,000 in guaranteed compensation, according to salary figures released last month. Brad Guzan is the highest paid at $805,000, followed by Kenneth Vermeer at $756,000.
His extension follows recent announcements of contract extensions for head coach Jim Curtin and Sporting Director Ernst Tanner.
Should Blake play out his contract with the Union, he would be 35 when it expires with 300+ appearances for the blue and gold under his belt. He’s currently fourth in all-time appearances for the club at 177 in all competitions behind Brian Carroll (180), Sebastien Le Toux (189) and Ray Gaddis (248).