FRISCO, Texas (Thursday, Dec. 3) – FC Dallas has re-signed midfielder Kellyn Acosta, declined the options on five contracts for the 2016 season and exercised the contract options on seven others, the club announced today.



Acosta, 20, achieved career highs in games played (21), games started (19), minutes played (1,606), goals (3) and assists (2) during the 2015 regular season. A native of Plano, Texas, the defensive midfielder scored a fourth goal this season in U.S. Open Cup play. He picked up both of his assists after returning from the 2015 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand on June 16. Acosta was also named No. 14 in MLSsoccer.com’s annual 24 Under 24 feature, which highlights the top 24 players in MLS under the age of 24. He has 49 MLS regular-season appearances already in his career.



FC Dallas will exercise the 2016 contract options of recently crowned MLS Best XI defender Matt Hedges, Atiba Harris, Ryan Hollingshead, Zach Loyd, Je-Vaughn Watson, Rolando Escobar and Victor Ulloa.



The 2016 contracts options for Otis Earle, Danny Garcia, David Texeira and Michel were declined. Forward Blas Perez and defender Stephen Keel are out of contract.



Defender Walker Zimmerman has graduated from his Generation adidas contact, which he was under since being selected by FC Dallas seventh overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. He was extended a bona fide offer by FC Dallas, which allows the club to retain the right of first refusal.



The following players are already under contract for the 2016 season: Acosta, Tesho Akindele, Michael Barrios, Fabian Castillo, Ezequiel Cirigliano, Mauro Diaz, Moises Hernandez, Dan Kennedy, Chris Seitz, Coy Craft, Jesse Gonzalez and Alejandro Zendejas.



Defender Bakary Soumare announced his retirement on Monday, Nov. 10.