TULSA, Okla. – FC Tulsa announced on Saturday it had exercised its contract option for defender Ian Carlos Souza Daniel for the 2026 USL Championship season.

A late-season arrival for the Scissortails, Ian logged 677 minutes across eight appearances in the regular season and playoffs for the side, recording 50 clearances, 11 interceptions and five blocked shots in helping the club win the USL Championship’s Western Conference title for the first time in its history.

“Ian showed a high level of composure and maturity every time he stepped on the field,” said FC Tulsa Sporting Director and General Manager Caleb Sewell. “He’s reliable in one-on-one situations, reads the game extremely well, and brings a calm presence that lifts the entire back line. His performances spoke for themselves when he came into the season, and we’re excited to have him continue growing with us in 2026.”

Ian played 449 minutes in the postseason and produced strong defensive numbers across the board. He won 47 duels – an average of 6.24 per 90 minutes – at a success rate of 65.3 percent, including winning 21 aerial duels at a 77.8 percent success rate. The 27-year-old also completed 159 passes at a 77.6 percent success rate, while winning five tackles and recording recoveries.