Justin Davis and Kevin Venegas, two tenured Minnesota United FC defenders, have signed contracts to join the club in Major League Soccer next season, a source told the Pioneer Press.

The deals are the first known contracts United has completed as the MLS expansion franchise moves quickly to build a 28-player roster to debut in the top domestic soccer league next March. Both Davis, 28, and Venegas, 27, have been with Minnesota in the second-tier North American Soccer League for at least five seasons.

Davis, a left back, has played with Minnesota since the club was known as the Stars in 2011. The Michigan native is Minnesota’s all-time leader in games played. He was named to the North American Soccer League’s Best XI in the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Venegas, a right back, joined the Minnesota Stars in 2012. The California native was named to the NASL Best XI for the 2015 season. Like Davis, Venegas often joins Minnesota’s attack.

Both were key players during the United’s final season in the NASL, which concluded last Saturday with 1-0 loss to New York, a defeat that contributed to Minnesota missing out on the NASL’s fourth and final playoff spot. Related Articles Minnesota United coach Carl Craig wants to stay, but hasn’t heard fate

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It is unknown how many of Davis and Venegas’ teammates could join them in MLS. Some of the top candidates are leadings scorer Christian Ramirez and emerging center back defender Brent Kallman of Woodbury.

But the list of players from the 2016 roster appears to be short, the source said. United has priority rights on players on last season’s roster.

Midfielder Jeb Brovsky looked to be a strong possibility for the MLS roster before he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a 1-0 loss to Carolina on Oct. 22. Brovsky, 27, played for three MLS clubs before joining United in late March.

United will build its roster many ways.

The Loons have the ability to sign up to three designated players, roster spots designated for higher-priced contracts. They also have five picks in the MLS expansion draft on Dec. 13, the same number of selections as fellow expansion club Atlanta United. Each of the 20 existing MLS clubs can protect 11 players. That list becomes public the day of the draft.

United will have the first overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, which resembles the collegiate drafts in other sports, on Jan. 13. Atlanta is a from-scratch expansion club that has announced at least seven player signings for next season; it will have the second pick in the SuperDraft.

The Loons will begin preseason training camp on Jan. 23.