Brian Carroll will return to the Union midfield in 2016.
The move, which was never in question despite Carroll’s free-agent status with MLS, was made official on Wednesday. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Brian’s vast knowledge and experience in this game is an invaluable asset and we’re thrilled he’s decided to return to our club,” Union sporting director Earnie Stewart said.
Acquired for the 2011 season, the 34-year-old defensive midfielder is the longest tenured Union player, going on his sixth year. He’s played in 139 games in total for the Union, scoring four goals and three assists. But while Carroll started 21 games in the midfield last season, the club views him less of a starter in 2016 and more as a guiding light for younger players.
“As Brian has consistently shown throughout his career, his professional approach to the game is unmatched, a key factor for why he can still play at such a high level,” Stewart said. “We cannot think of a better leader to mentor some of our newer players, both on and off the field, for the upcoming season.”
The plan is for Carroll to take his 322 games of MLS experience and use it to help mentor the Union’s new USL club, the Bethlehem Steel, who will training on the same practice field as the Union.
“He contributed a lot to the team in terms of minutes, so I see him as a guy who can contribute,” said Union manager Jim Curtin back in early December. “He’ll also have a little bit of a role helping Bethlehem Steel, being a leader and mentor for some of the players on that team. He’ll be helping those guys and helping me a great deal.”