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Real Salt Lake re-signs defender Donny Toia

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Real Salt Lake defender Donny Toia (4) as Real Salt Lake hosts Toronto FC, MLS Soccer at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday May 18, 2019.

Real Salt Lake has retained one of its homegrown players.

The club announced Monday that it has re-signed defender Donny Toia for the 2020 season. It will be this third overall season with the club.

“Donny is a player who has been a part of the RSL family since he was a standout youth player in Arizona,” RSL general manager Elliot Fall said in a statement. “He’s proven himself a steady, reliable performer and someone who we can count on to bring professionalism and hard work, day in and day out. We are very happy to know that we can extend his time with the club for several more years to come.”

Toia started in all 24 games he played in 2019. He took over the left back position after Aaron Herrera, who recently signed a long-term contract with RSL, moved to his preferred right side.

“Donny was very consistent for us and helped solidify the back line to help make us one of the best defenses in the league,” RSL coach Freddy Juarez said. “He earned his spot by putting his head down and working and every day he was consistent.”

Toia recorded one assist and 11 shots with one goal last year.

RSL has already lost two homegrown players this offseason. Sebastian Saucedo left the club for Liga MX side Pumas, and Brooks Lennon was dealt to Atlanta United after requesting a trade.