NASHVILLE, TN - Nashville SC and center-back Walker Zimmerman have agreed to a contract extension. The club announced Monday that they have come to terms with the defender through 2023 using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). The deal includes a club option for 2024.
“I couldn’t be more excited to represent Nashville SC, on and off the pitch, for the next few years,” said Zimmerman in the club press release. “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. Let’s ride, Smashville!”
Mike Jacobs, Nashville SC General Manager, said: “We acquired Walker knowing that he is one of, if not the top, centerback in Major League Soccer and the U.S. Men’s National Team pool. He is an important piece of our club’s present and future, and we wanted to commit ourselves to him to demonstrate that.”
Gary Smith, Nashville SC Head Coach, added: “I’m very happy to have Walker committed to our club for the next few years. His leadership and playing qualities will be a rock of a foundation as we build the team out into 2021 and beyond.”
Zimmerman, 27, was signed from LAFC ahead of the 2020 season for a league-record $1.25 million in allocation money. The center-back played every minute of Nashville’s first two matches, scoring the first goal in club history against Atlanta United in front of 59,069 at Nissan Stadium.
A native of Lawrenceville, GA, Zimmerman has made 165 appearances since joining FC Dallas in 2013, winning Supporter Shields with FC Dallas and LAFC, as well as earning 12 caps with the US National team. Zimmerman has been a consistent goal threat, scoring 15 goals and assisting 5. Only Minnesota United’s Ike Opara has scored more from set pieces since Zimmerman joined the league.
“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. Let’s ride, Smashville!”
Nashville will take on Zimmerman’s former club FC Dallas in a two match series this week. The first match will take place Wednesday, August 12 at 7:30 PM central. The game will be broadcast locally on MyTV30, as well as on the radio at ESPN 94.9 Game 2 and El Jefe 96.7.
Transaction: Nashville SC and defender Walker Zimmerman agree to contract extension through 2023. The club has the option to extend Zimmerman’s contract through the 2024 season.
Walker Zimmerman
Position: Defender
Height: 6-3
Weight: 196
Birthdate: May 19, 1993
Age: 27
Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA
Nationality: United States
Last club: Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC)
How Acquired: Acquired from LAFC in exchanged for $600,000 in 2020 General Allocation Money (GAM), $350,000 in 2021 GAM and a 2020 international roster spot on Feb. 11, 2020. LAFC will receive an additional $150,000 in GAM in both 2020 and 2021, if Walker meets certain performance-based metrics.
