Dallas, Texas - FC Dallas President and General Manager Greg Elliott announced that the club has signed midfielder Ronnie O'Brien to a new multi-year contract. O'Brien's original contract was set to expire in December of 2005. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Ronnie had an excellent season for us last year and we look for him to build upon that as we move to Frisco in 2005," said Elliott. "He is part of our core group that will be asked to lead us next season and the seasons to come. We are excited to have Ronnie as an FC Dallas player for the next four years."
In 2004 with Dallas, O'Brien started in all 29 matches he played in with the team and tied for second in the MLS in assists (10). Along with leading the team in assists, O'Brien ranked first on the squad in games started (29), first in minutes played (2,581), tied for second in points (14), second in shots (67) and second in shots on goal (30). The Dublin, Ireland native was selected to start in his first MLS All-Star Game in July and was also named MLS Player of the Week after contributing to three Dallas goals on August 28.
O'Brien, 25, started the first three matches of the 2003 season before suffering a broken right tibia on May 3. After missing the next 24 matches due to the injury, O'Brien returned to appear in the final three matches of the 2003 season. Following the 2004 season, he became the first player in franchise history to be nominated for MLS Comeback Player of the Year.
In three seasons with Dallas, O'Brien has appeared in 46 matches, tallying five goals and 12 assists for 22 points. He was originally acquired by Dallas after being signed as a Discovery Player on July 12, 2002.
"It's nice to be back with the club for next season and get this all sorted out," said O'Brien. "I love Dallas and have my whole family settled here now. It helps you on the field when you know what's going on off the field."
