CARSON, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Galaxy has signed veteran defender A.J. De La Garza to a multi-year contract extension.

The 26-year-old who was drafted by the team in 2009 has played in every position this season for a backline that has allowed a Major League Soccer-low 35 goals. De La Garza has started all but five of the games he’s played in during his six seasons with the team.

De La Garza played on the Galaxy’s 2011 and 2012 MLS Cup-winning teams. He has played for the U.S. national team and in August 2013 he committed to Guam’s national team.

De La Garza briefly left the Galaxy last month after the death of his infant son, who was born with a heart defect.

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