ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – One of the key figures to New Mexico United’s success in its first two seasons returned to the club on Tuesday, with attacking midfielder Chris Wehan re-joining the side via transfer from Orange County SC while also signing a new contract through the end of the 2023 USL Championship season.

Wehan was named the club’s Most Valuable Player in each of its first two seasons. He ranks second all-time in club history with 16 regular-season goals, trailing only Devon Sandoval, and leads the club all-time with 10 assists, while also sitting in the Top 10 in club history for minutes and appearances.

“Chris is a foundational piece of our club, and he has unfinished business with us,” said New Mexico United Head Coach and Technical Director Troy Lesesne. “I’m thrilled to have him back in the Black and Yellow and representing our state.”

Wehan has played in 50 matches for United in all competitions and scored the game-winning goal in the first playoff victory in New Mexico United history against San Antonio FC in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs. Wehan attended the University of New Mexico and earned All-Conference USA honors in all four seasons with the Lobos.

Prior to joining New Mexico for its inaugural season, Wehan earned the 2017 USL Championship Rookie of the Year award at Reno 1868 and was named to the Championship’s All-League First Team after tying the then-single season assists record with 12 helpers in his first professional campaign. The following year he was signed by Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes, for whom he made six appearances before joining New Mexico the following offseason.

In his career, Wehan has made 99 regular-season appearances and recorded 32 goals and 28 assists, placing him tied for third in the Championship since the start of the 2017 season for assists behind only Phoenix Rising FC’s Solomon Asante and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s Kenardo Forbes. The 27-year-old had recorded four goals and three assists this season in 16 games for Orange County SC.