Colorado Rapids sign Cole Bassett to four-year contract extension
- Bassett rose through the Colorado ranks as a Homegrown player
- 22-year-old went on on loan in the Eredivisie in 2022/23 season
- He led the Rapids in scoring in 2023 with six goals in MLS action
Colorado Rapids have signed young attacking midfielder Cole Bassett to a four-year contract extension, keeping him at the club through the 2027 MLS season.
The Rapids continue to retool and rebuild for first-year head coach Chris Armas, as Bassett led Colorado with six goals scored in 2023 despite their struggles in the basement of the Western Conference.
The 22-year-old returned from two loan spells (within the same season) during the 2022/23 season with Eredivisie sides Fortuna Sittard and Feyenoord as an improved player, and the Rapids have rewarded him with a new long-term deal at the club.
"We are absolutely delighted to sign Cole to a long-term deal and keep him here at home," said Rapids president Padraig Smith in a release.
"Having witnessed his growth within our community and abroad in Europe, we're thrilled to secure his talents for the team's future success. His dedication and skill embody the spirit of our local youth, and we're excited to see him continue to flourish in the years to come."
Bassett registered five goals in back-to-back seasons in 2020 and 2021, propelling Colorado to a first place finish in the Western Conference under then head coach Robin Fraser in 2021. In total, Bassett, who has one appearance for the USMNT that came back in 2021, has made 97 league appearances for the Rapids while finding the back of the net 19 times and adding 12 assists.
"We are thrilled to keep Cole here at home. Cole is a top, young professional who embodies so much of what we look for in a Rapid. He is a competitor, a team first guy, and loves to attack. We are happy to solidify him as a key part of our future," said Armas.
Colorado have been quite busy in the offseason thus far, as they've already confirmed the additions of USMNT duo goalkeeper Zack Steffen from Premier League giants Manchester City and midfielder Djordje Mihailovic from Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar. The Rapids have also acquired full-back Miguel Navarro and look set to contend for a 2024 MLS Cup playoffs spot should everything fall into place in Armas' first year at the helm.
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