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Claudio Reyna's name popped up on Chris Wingert's cell phone two weeks ago.

When Wingert answered three days before preseason camp was scheduled to kick off, he was informed by New York City FC's sporting director that the club was looking for a way to move the 33-year-old defender.

NYCFC was looking to create cap space for another move, but gave Wingert the option explore his next step. Without hesitating, he told Reyna and NYCFC that a return to Real Salt Lake was his No. 1 priority. Over the course of the next two weeks, Wingert, through his agent, put feelers out to teams around the league. But as Wingert noted, most clubs are close to having their rosters set with preseason already underway — especially along the back line.

Multiple teams were interested in Wingert, but once he made it clear that RSL was to be his preferred destination, other teams respectfully allowed the process to play out. RSL eventually claimed the defender on Tuesday to cement Round 2 with the club. A starter for eight seasons in Utah before a one-year departure to NYCFC, Wingert is officially back.

The deal was finalized and announced while he was already on a flight to Salt Lake City for the funeral of close friend and ABC4 producer, Roxanne Hasegawa, who passed away Jan. 31 following a bout with cancer.

"A weird mix of emotions," said Wingert, a Long Island, N.Y., native.

Now, the longtime RSL left back is back for another go with the club he helped shape into an annual postseason contender. Wingert told the Tribune Wednesday that the decision to come back to RSL was a "no-brainer."

"Moving your life across the country is never easy," he said, "but this was going to be a pretty seamless transition, I felt like."

How long does he expect it to take for him to fit back in? It was a conversation he said he needed to have with coach Jeff Cassar and general manager Craig Waibel before the deal was completed.

"I told them I understand the situation and that it's not the same team that I left in 2014," he said. "I needed to make sure that they wanted me to be here as bad I wanted to be here."

Wingert returns to RSL after one year at NYCFC during the club's first season in Major League Soccer. He was drafted by former RSL coach Jason Kreis in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft and saw time in 27 league matches, 26 of which were starts. The one season back home, playing in front of family and friends was enjoyable, Wingert said.

That's in the past now. Wingert is ready to compete for a starting role again at RSL.

"Just like any other year, I'm going to have to go out there and earn my spot," he said. "As long as I knew [RSL] wanted me to be a big part of the team and to come back, the rest is easy."

Where will he play? Wingert spent much of 2015 at center back for NYCFC, but said he told Cassar and Waibel he'll play wherever they envision him vying for minutes this season.

"I just want to be on the field, so whatever that means, I'm going to compete for whatever spot they see me playing," he said.

Fitness-wise, Wingert said he is feeling "healthy and fit as ever," despite the rest of the RSL roster having a 10-day head start having just completed their first preseason camp in Oceanside, Calif. Wingert said he's tired of the treadmill and running around indoor tracks at the gym and is eager to train on grass.

He will fly to Tucson, Ariz., for part two of the club's preseason schedule where RSL prepares for another year in the Desert Diamond Cup tournament. The trip that follows is one Wingert's used to. RSL returns to the CONCACAF Champions League knockout round against UANL Tigres in three weeks. Wingert said RSL being in Champions League is an added bonus to his return.

"I'd much rather be playing in important games right away than just training on end with no end in sight," he said. "That's why we play right? To play in big matches."

Wingert's trademark No. 17 will stay on the back of fellow defender Demar Phillips, signed to be his replacement a year ago. Instead, Wingert will wear No. 16 in 2016, a number he wore often growing up through the youth soccer ranks in New York.

"I would never want to take a number from another guy — it's not important to me," he said. "I'm cool with any number."

-Chris Kamrani

Twitter: @chriskamrani