The Pittsburgh Riverhounds re-signed midfielder and defender Mike Green to a one-year deal with a club option for the 2018 season, the team announced Wednesday. The signing is pending league and federation approval.

Green returns to the Hounds as currently the longest-tenured member of the club, having played for Pittsburgh since the 2012 season. A native of Strongsville, Ohio, Green was fourth on the team in minutes played (2,234) in 2016, appearing in 29 matches and recording three assists.



Head coach Dave Brandt said he has high expectations for the 27-year-old midfielder entering his sixth season with the club.



“I challenged Michael right after the season to pick up his entire game and take it to a new level,” Riverhounds Head Coach Dave Brandt said of the 27-year-old. “I saw a completely different Michael Green from the one who was already a good player. … People are going to see some great things from him in 2017.”

In his time with Pittsburgh, Green has played a variety of positions – he served primarily at right back under Brandt last season – and has scored five goals and ranks fourth all-time in club history in appearances at 117.