Christian Ramirez signs long term deal with Minnesota United

Minnesota United announced a huge move on Thursday, agreeing to an extension with forward Christian Ramirez. The club has agreed to a new contract that will ensure Ramirez remains in Minnesota until the end of the 2017 season, and will keep him banging in the chances created by Miguel Ibarra for the next several seasons.

The 23-year old burst onto the radar with a sensational 2014 season, and frankly, should have earned himself a look with the USMNT because of that fantastic play. He's easily one of the best center forward options in the US player pool already, and assuming he continues to impress early in 2015, I have a hard time believing we won't see him get a call up at some point this summer.

Even if they do nothing else to improve their squad this winter, the retention of Ibarra and Ramirez was always going to be key for the Loons. It's hard to imagine they won't be a title contender again in 2015, as long as they manage to keep both healthy for the bulk of the season.