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Real Salt Lake re-signs defender Marcelo Silva

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Real Salt Lake defender Marcelo Silva (30) argues a call against Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela (10) as Real Salt Lake hosts Los Angeles FC at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019.

  | Jan. 7, 2020, 1:15 a.m.
| Updated: 5:13 a.m.

Real Salt Lake announced Monday that it has re-signed defender Marcelo Silva, securing a fourth center back for the 2020 season.

“Marcelo has shown himself a standout center back at the MLS level,” RSL general manager Elliot Fall said in a statement. “In the last three years he has proven that he can be a high-level contributor to a winning MLS side on a weekly basis. In pairing him with Nedum Onuoha, Justen Glad, and Eric Holt, we have a group at that position that can compete with any in the league.”

Silva played 19 games for RSL in 2019 and scored two goals while making 14 starts. The 30-year-old Uruguayan has started a total of 41 games in his three seasons with the club.

RSL coach Freddy Juarez in a statement called Silva a “top center back” and is looking forward to having him in the fold this year. “He’s a guy that shows up in big games,” Juarez said. “His presence on the field gives us confidence because of his demeanor as a powerful and strong leader, and he can help make our younger players better.”