HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Harrisburg City Islanders announced on Thursday that defender Shawn McLaws will return to the club for the 2017 USL season.

McLaws made the move to Harrisburg a season ago after competing for the New York Red Bulls II, and appeared in all 30 of the City Islanders’ regular-season contests in the 2016 USL season, the only member of the squad to do so. McLaws notched two assists for the side in his first season with the club as he played 2,699 minutes of action, good for third in the USL.

City Islanders Head Coach Bill Becher praised the defender's consistency last season and is eager to have McLaws back as a key piece of the City Islanders’ defense in 2017.

"Shawn was big for us; he played the most minutes on the team and one of the most in the league," said Becher. "He was very consistent at right back. He certainly helped solidify our back four."