San Diego FC gave CJ dos Santos the opportunity to become a starting goalkeeper in Major League Soccer, and he ran with it.
On Thursday, the club rewarded dos Santos with a new deal.
The two sides have agreed to a new contract through the end of the 2027 season with a team option for ’28. The deal goes into effect on Sunday; dos Santos had been under contract through the end of this season with a team option for ’26.
“CJ has been an important presence for us on the field and in the locker room this season,” SDFC sporting director Tyler Heaps said. “He’s proving that he can be a starter in this league and can impact the game in and out of possession as he continues to grow and develop as a goalkeeper. We’re excited to sign him to a new contract and look forward to his continued contributions as a core part of our roster.”
Dos Santos spent three years with MLS’ Inter Miami, though he appeared in just two games. SDFC acquired the 24-year-old goalkeeper in December in exchange for $100,000 in general allocation money. He won a starting job in training camp, then delivered his first MLS shutout in the club’s Feb. 23 season-opening win over the LA Galaxy in Carson. He has since added five more clean sheets; his total of six is tied for fourth-most in the league.
SDFC (8-5-3) returns to Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday night to face Austin FC (5-6-5). The match starts at 7:30 p.m.
