Minnesota United announced today the club has signed a new, multi-year contract with defender Romain Metanire. The right back played a key role in one of the best defensive turnarounds in league history for Minnesota, which had 11 clean sheets and only 43 goals conceded, third-lowest in the Western Conference in 2019.
“He’s fully deserved his contract extension because what you see is what you get,” said MNUFC head coach Adrian Heath. “He’s incredibly popular, not only with the group but with supporters and very popular within the league, trust me. A lot of the coaches like the way he plays. We’re just glad we’ve got him signed for a few more years. If he can continue to play like he’s done, since he’s been here. He will continue to be one of the best players in the league in his position.”
Metanire joined MNUFC ahead of the 2019 season, becoming the first Malagasy player to play in Major League Soccer. The lone Loon representative at the 2019 MLS All-Star game played 29 league games, across 2,430 minutes, only missing games while representing the Madagascar national team in a 2019 African Cup of Nations run. He finished 2019 with one goal and seven assists.
Prior to becoming a Loon, the defender played two seasons with France Ligue 1 side Reims, joining them in 2017, helping them win Ligue 2 in 2017–18 and earn promotion to Ligue 1 for the 2018–19 season. During his time with Reims, Metanire played 5,071 minutes across 59 league games, earning five assists, and 210 minutes in two cup games. Metanire began his professional career with his hometown team FC Metz in October of 2008 on the reserve team. He was promoted during the 2010–2011 season and spent a total of eight seasons with Metz FC, making 145 league appearances and scoring two goals. Throughout his 10-year career, Metanire has played 18,774 minutes in 218 games, including appearances in the Coupe de la Ligue, Beker van Belgie and Coupe de France.
With a strong defensive spine, Minnesota United finished a historic 2019 season fourth in the Western Conference with a club-record 53 points. The Loons made their first appearance in the Audi 2019 MLS Playoffs and reached the final of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Transaction: Minnesota United signs new contract with defender Romain Metanire.
VITALS
Romain Metanire
Position: Defender
Date of birth: 03.28.1990 (30 years old)
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 159 lbs
Birthplace: Metz, France
Citizenship: France
