Dynamo sign Charlie Ward from Rio Grande Valley FC

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It took a little longer than he hoped, but Charlie Ward finally is a member of the Dynamo.

The Dynamo on Friday signed Ward to an MLS contract. Ward, a central midfielder, played for the Dynamo's USL affiliate Rio Grande Valley FC in 2016 and so far in 2017.

Ward is the sixth RGV FC player to sign an MLS contract with Houston. He joins Jose Escalante, Kevin Garcia, Taylor Hunter, George Malki and Memo Rodriguez. The Toros debuted in 2016 and were coached by the Dynamo's Wilmer Cabrera.

Ward, a 22-year old native of England who previously played at Stoke City, is no stranger to wearing the Dynamo uniform, having started both U.S. Open Cup games this year. He played all 120 minutes of the Dynamo's victory over North Carolina FC on June 14.

The most recent game was Wednesday when he played all 90 minutes against Sporting Kansas City.

"(Coach Wilmer Cabrera) put the trust in me to go out there and play, and that's all I need," Ward said after Wednesday's game. "I'm going to go out there and always want the ball. I'm gutted that we lost because you want to win it, most of all. (The U.S. Open Cup games were) opportunities for me to play here and show Wilmer and (general manager) Matt Jordan and all the other staff."

Ward played every minute of the 2016 season with RGV FC, helping the Toros to a second-place finish in the USL's Western Conference. He has played 840 minutes in 10 games for the Toros in 2017.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Charlie Ward of Stoke City in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Northampton Town and Stoke City Development Squad at Sixfields Stadium on July 27, 2013 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) less NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Charlie Ward of Stoke City in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Northampton Town and Stoke City Development Squad at Sixfields Stadium on July 27, 2013 in ... more Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Dynamo sign Charlie Ward from Rio Grande Valley FC 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Ward was in good position to earn an MLS contract during the 2017 preseason but an injury put those hopes on hold.

"Throughout the six months he has played (at RGV FC) and every time he comes and join us, he proves that he has enough quality to be part of the Houston Dynamo," Cabrera said in a team release. "After the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games that he played here, he earned the right to be here because what he has shown in the field and what he has brought to the team."