HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford Athletic announced on Wednesday it had re-signed Togolese defender Tulu for the 2022 USL Championship season, pending league and federation approval, following a strong first season with the club in the past campaign.

“I am very excited to be back with Hartford for another season,” said Tulu. “We have a great returning core of players and are going to give everything we have to get this club back to the playoffs in 2022.”

Tulu was a mainstay in the Hartford Athletic back line in 2021, ranking fourth on the club in minutes played with 2,309 minutes of action in 27 appearances. Signed late in the preseason, the 24-year-old led the team in clearances (135) and blocked shots (31), both of which ranked third in the Championship during the regular season. At season’s end, Tulu was named the club’s Defender of the Year in the Fan’s Choice Awards.

Tulu’s play saw him draw attention from the Togo Men’s National Team, for which he was named as an alternate in August ahead of the country’s FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifying games against Senegal and Namibia.

“Having consistency at the back is so important to our success and Tulu is a large part of that,” said Athletic Head Coach Harry Watling. “Tulu adds steel to our defense and was someone we really counted on in 2021. I’m very happy to have him back with us again this season.”