San Diego’s newest star athlete is sticking around.
Ahead of their second season, San Diego FC signed MVP finalist Anders Dreyer to a contract extension through the 2028-2029 season, with a club option for the following year.
“I think he’s really enjoying life here — it’s hard not to — but I know his wife is extremely happy,” SDFC Sporting Director Tyler Heaps told NBC 7 on Wednesday. “He’s been all over as a professional, so a little bit of stability, I think, in his life with a second kid on the way is really important. And from our side, we want to reward him. He showed last year what an incredible piece he is and what an incredible player he is, how well he fits with the team and the organization and how much he embraces this community. That was kind of a mutual intent going into the offseason. His last words to me before he departed for vacation was, ‘Let’s make this go quick.’”
The 27-year-old from Denmark signed with the newest Major League Soccer franchise less than a year ago. Dreyer scored 19 goals and tied the league lead with 19 assists. He scored four times in five postseason matches.
His 38 goal contributions equaled the third most in league history.
Dreyer was an All-Star and the league’s Newcomer of the Year. He finished second in MVP voting behind Miami’s Lionel Messi, who ran away with the trophy thanks to 29 goals and 19 assists.
“He’s got a unique talent. His left foot is special,” Heaps said. “We’re going to put him in opportunities to change games, and he took that on this past year. For sure there’s going to be more expectations, but you can tell in preseason, the way he’s come back, he’s ready for them.”
SDFC extends their partnership with one Designated Player a week after moving on from another. Heaps told reporters Friday that Mexican star Chucky Lozano will no longer be part of their plans. Lozano is training apart from the club as the sides work out a transfer to another team.
“No real update from our side,” Heaps said. “We don’t see him as a part of the long-term plans. We’re looking to find a solution, and we’re hoping to find a solution … For us, we’re pushing forward. It’s not a distraction right now in preseason. The team has trained really well in the first week and a half.”
San Diego’s first match of 2026 comes Feb. 3 at Snapdragon Stadium against Pumas of Liga MX in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The second leg of the first round matchup comes a week later in Mexico City.
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