CARY, N.C. – Veteran midfielder Steven Miller will return for his fourth full season with North Carolina FC in 2019, one of five players the team announced on Friday it had picked up contract options on in its first moves of the offseason. Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, defenders Aaron Guillen and DJ Taylor, and midfielder Graham Smith will also return to the club, pending league and federation approval.

Miller has been a key figure for NCFC thanks to his extensive experience and talent since arriving on loan from Tulsa Roughnecks FC late on in the 2015 season. In 2018, the fan-favorite once again starred as a midfielder and defender throughout the season. He led the team with 162 won duels and ranked second with 49 key passes. In total, Miller played in 33 games and logged 2,742 minutes. The Elkin Park, Penn., native also scored four goals and chipped in seven assists.