Official release from Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake today announced the signing of eight players to new contracts, finalizing the Utah side's 26-man roster on today's official date for MLS teams to reach salary budget compliance.
Today's batch of signings includes one Homegrown Player, four 2012 draftees and three trialists:
FW Emiliano Bonfigli [MLS Supplemental Draft (17th overall pick); last played for Manta FC (Ecuadoran 1st Division)] DF Leone Cruz (acquired rights via trade with Seattle Sounders FC; last played for Southern Methodist Univ.) DF Diogo de Almeida [MLS SuperDraft (24th overall pick), Southern Methodist Univ.] GK Lalo Fernandez [Homegrown Player, RSL-Arizona Academy] MF Enzo Martinez [MLS SuperDraft (17th overall pick), University of North Carolina] MF Jonny Steele [free transfer, Carolina Railhawks (NASL)] DF Terukazu Tanaka [free transfer, Sagan Tosu (Japanese 2nd Division)] MF Sebastian Velasquez [MLS SuperDraft (36th overall pick), Spartanburg Methodist College]
"The caliber of the players that were fighting for roster spots during our preseason made for some difficult choices, but those are exactly the types of decisions you want to make when you're filling out a squad. This team will represent our fans proudly both on and off the field and should allow us to seriously contend for trophies on multiple fronts once again this year.""As an organization, we couldn't be more pleased to officially welcome these players into our side, as we believe they represent all the characteristics the RSL shield stands for," said general manager Lagerwey.
