Star Tribune: Zarek Valentin's new role? A little of everything

The Loons' "glue guy" is back for another year - as a coach, podcast host, and all-around helper.

By the time former Minnesota United defender Zarek Valentin retired at the end of 2024, he’d already begun the transition into his post-playing life. Injuries and age limited him all season; he played just five times for the first team and four for the second team, and not at all after August.

Which is not to say that he faded away — indeed, he was seemingly ever-present: doing color on the team’s radio broadcasts, exhorting teammates from the sidelines. Every day at training, limping around and trying to help in whatever way he could.

Read more: Minnesota United keeps Zarek Valentin in multi-faceted role