Orlando City Extends Goalkeeper Joe Bendik Through 2020

Orlando City goalkeeper Joe Bendik has re-signed with the club after agreeing to a three-year deal that would keep him with the Lions through 2020. The club announced the deal earlier today, stating the 27-year-old stopper’s current agreement ends after the 2017 season and the extension starts with the 2018 MLS campaign.

Bendik got his new contract after a career year in 2016. The goalkeeper was the only player on Orlando City’s roster to be on the field for each of the 3060 minutes of the club’s MLS campaign and amassed 11 Save of the Week awards as well as Save of the Year honors for his back-to-back stops against Sporting Kansas City on May 15, 2016. He also ranked second in saves, with 114.

“We’re excited to be able to sign Joe for three more years,” Lions General Manager Niki Budalic said in a club press release. “Joe was among our best players last season and will be a big part of our future. He has been an outstanding professional and earned this extension.”

Bendik joined the Lions in late 2015 and was acquired in a trade with Toronto FC. The goalkeeper has 34 MLS matches with the club and recorded 120 saves and 60 goals against. He has already won MLS Save of the Week this season, for a stop on Jack Harrison in the team’s opener against New York City FC.

The Lions are Bendik’s third MLS club, following one year with the Portland Timbers in 2012 and three with Toronto FC between 2013 and 2015. The Huntington, NY, native started his professional career on Norwegian side Songdal in 2010.