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MLS Andy Lyons / Getty Images Nashville SC defender Walker Zimmerman is out of contract and will depart the club this winter, sources briefed on the situation told The Athletic. Zimmerman is a club legend, a cornerstone from the club’s inaugural match. He twice won MLS Defender of Year while in Nashville (2020, 2021) and will be one of the top defenders on the free agency market this winter. Advertisement Zimmerman led the club to the playoffs in five of the club’s first six seasons and lifted Nashville’s first trophy this year, the U. S. Open Cup. Very poetic and fitting that it's Hany Mukhtar and Walker Zimmerman the first two to get their hands on the trophy and lifting it together https: //t. co/0Gi6V8I332 pic. twitter. com/DBY6oc XGQn — Tom Bogert (@tombogert) October 2, 2025 The 32-year-old signed a contract extension in 2022 making him a designated player, a kind of deal rare for a defender and one that underpinned his quality and importance to the team. Zimmerman has made 172 appearances for Nashville, fifth-most in the club’s short MLS history. He has 46 caps for the U. S. men’s national team, appearing in all four of his country’s matches at the 2022 World Cup. Injuries slowed him a bit this year, but he was with the national team in the summer for the Gold Cup. Zimmerman missed time this year due to a concussion, knee issue and national team duty, making 26 appearances across all competitions for Nashville. The club’s season ended last weekend at the hands of Inter Miami in a 4-0 Game 3 defeat in the opening round of the playoffs. Prior to being traded to Nashville ahead of 2020, Zimmerman started his career with FC Dallas and then was part of LAFC’s first few years. He won the 2016 Supporters’ Shield and U. S. Open Cup with Dallas, then the Shield with LAFC in 2019. The departure opens up a DP spot for Nashville. The club has the flexibility to add a DP or open an additional U-22 initiative slot. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Tom Bogert is a Senior Writer for The Athletic, providing exclusive, original and unique insights on MLS and the U. S. national team. He has previously written for MLSsoccer. com, The Guardian, and more.