January 11, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Charleston Battery News Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery and Real Salt Lake have agreed to the permanent transfer of attacker Fidel Barajas to the Major League Soccer side, the clubs announced Thursday. Per club policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed and the transaction is pending league and federation approval.
Barajas’ move to MLS comes on the heels of his historic and breakout season in 2023, where the 17-year-old was named the USL Championship Young Player of the Year, selected to the All-League Second Team, and featured in The Guardian’s Next Generation 2023 for being among the top young players in the world.
“My time with the Charleston Battery was amazing, from the coaches to the teammates to the staff, they all helped me grow and develop immensely,” said Barajas. “The ability to get this experience with the club and at a high level in the USL Championship was priceless. Coach Pirmann and the Battery owners’ belief in me gave me the confidence I needed, especially at such a young age, to perform day in and day out.”
Barajas’ banner year included him leading the Championship in assists across the regular season and playoffs, recording 11 en route to the Battery’s Eastern Conference title. The rising star also scored five goals and was a three-time Team of the Week honoree.
His Battery tenure is capped off with 13 assists and five goals in 37 appearances across all competitions from 2022 to 2023.
In addition to the Eastern Conference trophy, Barajas secured silverware with Mexico by winning the 2023 Concacaf U-17 Championship. He led El Tri to glory with three goals and five assists. Barajas later debuted in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, tallying one goal and one assist.
“We have been intent with our goal of being a club that attracts top talent, develops them to their potential and moves them to a higher level,” said Club Chairman Rob Salvatore. “Fidel is the prime example of that strategy. He and his family trusted our club to offer a meaningful chance against high-level professionals and that we’d elevate him to the next opportunity.
“Our point of view has always been that player development, featuring young players and winning are not mutually exclusive, and I feel strongly they are all highly correlated.”
“We are very happy for Fidel and his opportunity in MLS with Real Salt Lake, he is a generational talent with an incredible career ahead of him,” said Head…