ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 20, 2016) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies announced the return of two more midfielders from their 2016 roster on Tuesday, with Keith Savage and Justin Chavez both re-signing with the club as free agents pending league and USSF approval. Per club and league policy, further contract details were not disclosed.

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Both players were key contributors to the Rowdies’ midfield in 2016, with Savage now set to return for his seventh season in green and gold.

Savage, one of just four members of Tampa Bay’s 100 appearance club, has been with the club since the 2011 season. Savage’s three goals in 2016 elevated him to fifth place on the Rowdies’ all-time scoring chart with 15 career goals for Tampa Bay. After missing the 2015 season due to a knee injury, Savage bounced back strong in 2016, making 16 appearances, including nine starts.

Chavez returns for his third season with the Rowdies, having made 22 appearances for the Rowdies last year. 2016 featured Chavez’s first professional goal, scored on September 3, as well as two assists as he asserted himself in his natural position as a holding midfielder.

Valued for his versatility, Chavez has served as a fill-in center back, right back and left back in his time with the Rowdies, but established himself as a holding midfielder in 2016.

“These players are very important for us,” Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell said. “They understand the culture we’ve built here and have contributed greatly both on and off the field. Keith has been here for a long time and Justin is back for his third season, so we expect great things in 2017 from both experienced players.”

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