COMMERCE CITY, Colo. —The Colorado Rapids have signed midfielder Cole Bassett to a four-year contract extension through the 2027 MLS season, the club announced today.
“We are absolutely delighted to sign Cole to a long-term deal and keep him here at home,” said Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “Having witnessed his growth within our community and abroad in Europe, we're thrilled to secure his talents for the team's future success. His dedication and skill embody the spirit of our local youth, and we're excited to see him continue to flourish in the years to come."
Bassett, 22, has registered 97 appearances in burgundy since his Rapids debut on Sept. 8, 2018. He leads all Rapids Homegrowns in starts (74), minutes (6,465), goals (19), and assists (12). The club’s 2023 Golden Boot Winner achieved a new single-season career high with six goals last season. He was loaned to Fortuna Sittard in August 2022 after the Rapids recalled him from a loan with fellow Eredivisie side Feyenoord Rotterdam. In all, Bassett registered 19 appearances overseas, scoring one goal and delivering one assist across both clubs since his initial move to the Netherlands in January 2022.
“We are thrilled to keep Cole here at home. Cole is a top, young professional who embodies so much of what we look for in a Rapid. He is a competitor, a team first guy, and loves to attack. We are happy to solidify him as a key part of our future,” said Rapids Head Coach Chris Armas.
The Littleton, Colorado, native is a product of local youth side Colorado Rush and joined the Rapids Academy in 2017 before signing a Homegrown Player contract with the club in August 2018 at age 17, then the youngest signing in Rapids history. At the time, he set additional records as the youngest player in club history to make his professional debut and score a goal.
At the international level, Bassett earned his first call-up with the U.S. Men’s National Team, scoring the game-winning goal in 1-0 friendly win over Bosnia & Herzegovina on Dec.18, 2021. Most recently, Bassett was included in the U.S. Men’s Olympic roster during the November International Window, contributing with an assist in the U.S.’s 1-1 draw with Iraq U-23.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids sign midfielder Cole Bassett to a four-year contract extension through the 2027 MLS season, on Jan 9, 2024.
