Update:
Oakland Roots have announced that they have officially re-signed Tarek Morad to a contract extension.
The blog has been informed that Oakland Roots are re-signing center back Tarek Morad to a one-year contract extension through 2023. A club announcement is considered imminent.
Roots put out a teaser of the Egyptian Pyramids on Wednesday, cluing that Morad will be back in the mosaic.
It marks Morad’s third year on the team and becomes the 10th returning player from last season. He’s now the 13th player on this year’s roster and the second center back currently under contract alongside Danny Barbir. The full list includes:
- Tarek Morad
- Johnny Rodriguez
- Darek Formella
- Lindo Mfeka
- Danny Barbir
- Wolfgang Prentice
- Paul Blanchette
- Memo Diaz
- Taylor Bailey
- Edgardo Rito
- Ryan Her
- Napo Matsoso
- Trayvone Reid
Morad, 30, has been characterized as a leader around Roots’ locker room and often started as the left sided center back in last season’s 3-4-3 formation.
In 2022, Morad was 10 minutes and one start shy of the team’s most active defender Alejandro Fuenmayor, finishing with 2,376 minutes in 28 appearances and 27 starts. He recorded 41 interceptions, 16 tackles, six successful dribbles, created five chances, and scored once in a 2-2 draw against New Mexico. He averaged 4.5 clearances, 0.7 blocks, and 4.5 accurate long balls per match.
It was the second-most active year in Morad’s career behind his final season in Tampa Bay in 2019. In 2021, Tarek was a starter in Jordan Farrell’s system but lost his role after suffering an ankle injury early on and didn’t regain consistent minutes until late in the season.
The Los Angeles native and UC Irvine graduate is a veteran in the USL. He began his professional career with OKC Energy in 2014 before signing on with Louisville City for 2015-2017, helping Louisville win the USL title in his final season at the club as a frequent starter. From there, he caught on with the Tampa Bay Rowdies from 2018-2019. After spending 2020 on San Diego Loyal’s inaugural team, Morad signed a contract with Oakland Roots.
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