D.C. United has given veteran defender Bobby Boswell a contract extension.
Boswell, 32, was set to become a free agent, but he will prolong his stay in his second stint with D.C., who did not reveal terms of the extension.
The center-back told the Washington Post that his deal is guaranteed for next season with a club option for 2017.
"With the new free agency stuff, you never know what is going to happen," he told the Post. "I'm happy D.C. really stepped up and essentially made the decision for me. It's better than what I probably would've gotten in free agency."
Boswell started his career with United in 2005, then played for six seasons with the Houston Dynamo before returning to D.C. in 2013.
.@bobbyboswell & #DCU have agreed to a contract extension. #CaptainBoswell Read: https://t.co/bmC2oBz05w pic.twitter.com/MJ4UwPHhZw
- D.C. United (@dcunited) October 19, 2015
"We are thrilled to have secured Bobby's continued commitment to D.C. United," D.C. general manager Dave Kasper said in a statement. "He has been one of the steadiest center-backs in MLS throughout his career, and he has anchored the locker room and the defense since we brought him back to the nation's capital last season."
Boswell has started all but one of D.C. United's games this season and leads all non-goalkeepers in minutes played.
In 2014 he was named to the MLS Best XI.
D.C. United have locked up its defense this year, already signing center-back Kofi Opare and goalkeeper Bill Hamid to multi-year deals.