TULSA, Okla. – FC Tulsa announced on Thursday the club had re-signed defender Rashid Tetteh ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Tetteh remains with Tulsa after recording 31 appearances in his first season with the club. The Ghanaian center back led the side with 25 blocked shots – tied for eighth-most in the Championship’s regular season – while also recording 90 clearances and 36 interceptions, both second-highest in the squad.

“We are excited to have Rashid back as he became an integral piece to the team,” said Tulsa Head Coach Blair Gavin. “His ability to make the game look calm on both sides of the ball will be crucial in how we want to play moving forward.”

The 28-year-old has made 115 appearances and logged almost 9,000 minutes in the Championship across the regular season and playoffs in his career, having previously spent four seasons with New Mexico United. In that time, he has posted a duel success rate of 60.2 percent, a tackle success rate of 68.6 percent, and a passing accuracy rate of 85.4 percent on more than 4,000 completed passes.

“I’m excited to be returning to the club for the 2024 season and looking forward to seeing everyone and getting to work to continue and be part of what we started building in Tulsa.” Tetteh said.

Analysis

Rashid Tetteh’s all-around game saw him sit among the best center backs in the Championship during the 2023 season. His game isn’t flashy, but his work-rate and qualities on the ball should make him a valuable part of Tulsa’s squad as it moves into the Western Conference – and hopes to return to the postseason – in the 2024 campaign.

The 28-year-old’s consistency might be his hallmark. In every season he’s recorded a duel success rate of at least 55 percent, a tackle success rate of at least 61 percent – while topping 70 percent three times – and in four of five season has posted at least an 85 percent passing accuracy rate. In this past campaign, that added up to a +3.50 Goals Added mark above Replacement per American Soccer Analysis – good for 14th among all center backs, on par with Championship All-League selection Adrian Diz Pe of Indy Eleven. More of the same next season would be very welcome.