It’s a long shot the Red Bulls lose their center back pairing any time soon.

Just months after enjoying a breakout second season with the Red Bulls, defender Aaron Long has signed a multi-year deal to keep him in New York, the club announced Monday.

The United States international received a three-year contract, according to a source, with the Red Bulls using Targeted Allocation Money to make the deal possible.

“Aaron has been key to our success as a team the last two seasons, and his personal achievements and recognitions speak for themselves,” Red Bulls sporting director Denis Hamlett said in a statement. “Aaron has worked hard over the last three seasons with us, learning and developing into one of the brightest young American defenders. Our entire club is proud to share this moment with Aaron and his family.”

The 26-year-old defender is coming off his best professional season, which included a career-high 31 matches (2,806 minutes) and a first appearance in the MLS All-Star Game, ahead of being named MLS Defender of the Year in a historic season for the Red Bulls.

Long’s new deal comes two months after the Red Bulls cemented his center back partner, fellow US international Tim Parker, who agreed to a three-year deal in December.

“Aaron has been a major part of our team’s success over the last two seasons,” Red Bulls coach Chris Armas said. “He solidified our back line in 2017 and helped us become the best defense in the league in 2018. Aaron has also grown into a leader within our group and has earned the respect of everyone here. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working with him and watching him grow for our club and country.”

Long, who helped the Red Bulls capture the Supporters’ Shield, grabbed his first international cap with the US national team in October. He was stunningly named captain for new coach Gregg Berhalter’s first two matches as US head coach in the January friendlies.

His ascension as one of MLS’ top defenders is both credit to him and the Red Bulls’ development. Twice cut by other MLS teams, Long found his footing when he landed with the Red Bulls in 2016. With Red Bulls II, he won the USL Defender of the Year honors and helped RBNY II win the USL regular season and USL Cup.

He became a permanent starter under then-coach Jesse Marsch in 2017 and, together with Parker, quickly established one of the top — if not the best — center back duos in MLS.

The Red Bulls will kick off their Concacaf Champions League campaign on Wednesday (8 p.m.) when they face Atletico Pantoja in leg one of the Round of 16 at Felix Sanchez Stadium. The two-legged tilt comes back to Red Bull Arena on Feb. 27 at 8 p.m.