August 9, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release
HERRIMAN, Utah – Real Salt Lake has once again added attacking prowess to its roster with today’s acquisition of M/F Diogo Gonçalves, the former Portuguese youth international and FC Copenhagen (Denmark) playmaker, a veteran of more than 30 UEFA Champions League appearances. RSL has signed the experienced UEFA Champions League veteran as a Designated Player through the end of the 2026 Major League Soccer season, with Club options for both 2027 and 2028.
“I am very happy to arrive at Real Salt Lake and take this step forward in my career,” said Gonçalves, now training in Utah with RSL, reunited with former Benfica teammate Chicho Arango (2017), also classified as a DP under the MLS roster rules and regulations. “Major League Soccer’s growth is a great thing – this League has everything to take the next steps – and my objective is to work hard, help the Club, and obviously provide goals and assists to lift RSL to the highest level.”
Pending receipt of his international transfer certificate and P-1 visa, Gonçalves hopes to be eligible for selection by RSL Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni when the Club resumes its 2024 regular season on Saturday, August 24, welcoming the San Jose Earthquakes to America First Field. RSL hosts four of its next five matches on Utah soil – where it has sold out six consecutive contests – as well as six of its final nine games, as it pursues the MLS Supporters Shield and the top overall seed in the Western Conference. Overall this season, RSL boasts nine wins and one draw against two losses in its Sandy, Utah home.
“Always elated to add another very technical, aggressive and versatile attacker to our setup, as Diogo can no doubt help us in every phase of our game,” said RSL Chief Soccer Officer Kurt Schmid, noting that Gonçalves joins Benji Michel, Lachlan Brook and Javain Brown as other summer window additions, all signing with the Club in th last three weeks.
“Diogo is a player that has been successful both at home in Portugal and abroad, gaining experience at Copenhagen and facing all types of situations there the last 18 months. His Champions League tests demonstrate the high standard he holds. We expect him to expand and impact our attack, and with the integration of the other summer additions, and are excited to see the group mesh here during the final stretch into the MLS Cup Playoffs.”
The 27-year-old Gonçalves, who will wear jersey #10 for RSL, is yet…
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