Minnesota United announced today that the club has signed defenders Morris Duggan and Jefferson Diaz to contract extensions. Duggan signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season, with a club option for the 2030-31 season. Diaz's contract extension is through the 2030-31 season, with a club option for the 2031-32 season.
"We are grateful for Morris and Jefferson’s contributions to the organization to date and are excited they have chosen to commit to the Minnesota community long term," said MNUFC Interim Sporting Director Hank Stebbins. "Their continued presence in our team is important, and we are looking forward to continuing to watch their growth.”
Both center backs have been key figures in Minnesota United's backline, helping create one of the most difficult defenses to play against in Major League Soccer. During the 2025 season, they were part of the back-five that helped the club set multiple records across a single season, including: the record of the fewest regular season goals allowed (39), along with most wins (16) and points (58), as well as the least amount of losses (8), excluding the 2020 shortened regular season, and the club’s best road record with eight wins, three losses and six draws.
Morris was selected 67th overall by Minnesota United in the MLS SuperDraft 2024 before signing a one-year deal with the Loons for the 2024 season. He played the first half of the season on loan with MNUFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro, appearing in 15 matches, including two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games. He then went on loan to Rhode Island FC in USL Championship for the remainder of the 2024 season, helping the team make it to the 2024 USL Championship Final before falling to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
"I am very excited to continue on this journey with Minnesota United," said defender Morris Duggan. "Thank you to the technical staff, coaches and my teammates for helping me develop into the player I am today. It is an honor to represent this club and play for the best fans in the league. Go Loons!"
Prior to his loan to Rhode Island, Morris made his MNUFC and MLS debut against FC Dallas in June 2024 during a Short-Term Call-up. Since his debut, he has scored a goal and recorded three assists in 61 appearances across all competitions, including 48 starts. He notably led the team by wearing the captain's armband in the Loons' first Leagues Cup 2026 Phase One match against FC Juárez.
Diaz has appeared in 71 matches, including 65 starts, across all competitions, scoring a goal and adding seven assists in nearly 5,500 minutes since joining the Loons in July 2024. He made his Major League Soccer and Minnesota United debut in front of a home crowd on Aug. 24, 2024, against the Seattle Sounders.
"I am very happy to sign with the club again because it gives me the chance to be here as part of a family, given that these past two years have been wonderful for me," said defender Jefferson Diaz. "I am very happy to represent Minnesota, and I want to keep building with the team and continue to play a key role."
Prior to joining the Loons, Diaz played with Deportivo Cali in Colombia’s top division from 2023-24. He made 50 game appearances across all competitions, where he scored five goals and provided three assists. During the 2024 campaign, he had 13 game appearances and scored twice in just over 800 minutes.
Transaction: Minnesota United signs defenders Morris Duggan and Jefferson Diaz to contract extensions. Morris Duggan's contract extension is signed through the 2029-30 season, with a club option for the 2030-31 season. Jefferson Diaz's contract extension is through the 2030-31 season, with a club option for the 2031-32 season.
