Walker Zimmerman signs contract extension with Nashville SC through 2023

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Extension

US men’s national team center back Walker Zimmerman is now under contract with Nashville SC through 2023 after signing an extension, the club announced Monday. The deal was completed with Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) and comes with an option for the 2024 season.

“I couldn’t be more excited to represent Nashville SC, on and off the pitch, for the next few years,” Zimmerman said in a statement. “Nashville has shown that it embraces their sports teams with an unrivaled passion. We witnessed that firsthand at our inaugural game in February. My hope is to bring trophies to the city, and our fans, for years to come.”

Zimmerman was originally acquired by the expansion side last February via trade from LAFC. It was a blockbuster deal that involved $950,000 in General Allocation Money ($600,000 in 2020 GAM, $350,000 in 2021 GAM), as well as a 2020 international roster spot. There are also performance-based metrics that could see LAFC receive an additional $150,000 in GAM in both 2020 and 2021.

Nashville is Zimmerman's third club in four years, but the extension provides assurance he'll be a building block of Nashville's expansion project.

"I’m proud of that, honestly," he said during a conference call on Monday. "I love trying to get out in the community, being a role model for young kids in Nashville is another goal, and trying to be relatable. I don’t want to be standoffish and be someone that people feel like they can’t have a conversation with or come and approach. I want to be that kind of person off the field, and then hopefully inspire with my play on the field."

Zimmerman, 27, has scored Nashville’s only goal as an MLS club to date. He knocked home a free kick in a
2-1 loss
against
Atlanta United
before a recording-breaking crowd of 59,069 fans at Nissan Stadium.

“We acquired Walker knowing that he is one of, if not the top, center backs in Major League Soccer and the US men’s national team pool,” Nashville GM Mike Jacobs said. “He is an important piece of our club’s present and future, and we wanted to commit ourselves to him to demonstrate that.”

Zimmerman has been a consistent starter since entering MLS via the 2013 SuperDraft with FC Dallas. He was acquired by LAFC ahead of their inaugural 2018 season, and last year was named a Best XI and All-Star selection. Zimmerman has helped both those clubs win Supporters’ Shield trophies, first with Dallas in 2016 and then with LAFC in 2019.

The center back has 13 goals and three assists in 142 regular-season appearances. He also has earned 12 USMNT caps.