TULSA, Okla. – FC Tulsa announced on Tuesday the club had exercised its contract option on Cuban center back Adrián Diz Pe, keeping him with the club for the 2023 USL Championship season.

Diz Pe was one of six new faces added by FC Tulsa across the backline in 2022 and quickly became a mainstay in the starting lineup. The Cuban appeared in 30 of Tulsa’s 34 regular season-matches, recording 28 starts, and totaled 2,497 minutes, the second-highest mark on the squad.

Defensively, the 6-foot-3 veteran led Tulsa in clearances (129), tackles attempted (71), tackles won (46), and interceptions (61). Among his USL Championship counterparts, Diz Pe ranked ninth in the league with 6.6 clearances per 90 minutes and 14th with 2.2 interceptions per 90 minutes.

“Adrián is someone who is very difficult to get around defensively, he’s very tough in the tackle, and he sets the tone for the team,” said FC Tulsa Head Coach Blair Gavin. “What really impresses me is his ability to close guys down, to win duels, and then ultimately be composed enough to play the ball forward. His feet are very soft for a big guy and his ability to close space in wide areas is unique.”

Off the pitch, Diz Pe fully embraced the Tulsa community upon arrival in his new surroundings. For his outgoing efforts and the selfless dedication of his time and energy to the people of Tulsa, Diz Pe was named the club’s 2022 #ForTulsa Community Man of the Year by his teammates and the organization.

“I am excited to start working with the new coaches, meet my new teammates, and work hard to fight for the title in 2023,” said Diz Pe.

Before signing with FC Tulsa in 2022, Diz Pe spent four seasons in the USL Championship between the Portland Timbers 2, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, and Rio Grande Valley FC. Over his career, the defender has made 102 USL Championship appearances across the regular season and playoffs. Internationally, Diz Pe has been capped 13 times for Cuba’s Senior Men’s National Team, including playing in 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, the 2012 Caribbean Cup in which Cuba won the title, and the 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup.