After joining Orlando City prior to the 2016 season, starting goalkeeper Joe Bendik’s extended stay with the Lions has been made official.

Orlando City announced on Monday it signed Bendik to a three-year contract extension, which will begin at the conclusion of the 2017 season through the 2020 Major League Soccer season.

“We’re excited to be able to sign Joe for three more years,” Lions general manager Niki Budalic said in a statement. “Joe was among our best players last season and will be a big part of our future. He has been an outstanding professional and earned this extension.”

Bendik joined Orlando from Toronto FC in December 2015, and since then played every minute of the 2016 season while finishing second in most saves last year with 114 saves.

Joe Bendik during a team training session in 2016. (OSJ file photo)

Bendik, 27, recently was named to MLS Team of the Week for week one of the 2017 MLS season after recording seven saves during Orlando City’s 1-0 win over New York City FC during the season opener on March 5.

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