RSS
ATOM
Real Salt Lake Sign Alvaro Saborio As First-Ever Designated Player
The Costa Rican international has become RSL's first designated player, making a permanent move from Swiss side FC Sion.
Dec 1, 2010 10:15:00 PM
By Nick Rosano
Real Salt Lake announced Wednesday the permanent acquisition of forward Alvaro Saborio from Swiss side FC Sion. Saborio, who was named MLS 2010 Newcomer of the Year three weeks ago, had been playing for Salt Lake on a season-long loan from Sion and scored 12 goals in MLS play, adding another six in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Although Saborio's new contract, which runs through 2014, will keep his wages below the league maximum, the fees associated with the transfer will make him RSL's first ever Designated Player, similar to the Seattle Sounders' acquisition of Alvaro Fernandez earlier in the season.
“First and foremost, I must express the deepest gratitude to Real Salt Lake ownership for stepping up and making the moves necessary to keep this team together,” said Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerwey. “We are delighted that Álvaro has made a long-term commitment to Real Salt Lake, and we hope this signing contributes to our future success."
Saborio, a 28-year-old Costa Rican international with 57 caps and 22 international goals to his name, has played professionally with Sion, Bristol City and Costa Rican giant Deportivo Saprissa prior to his arrival in MLS. In addition to helping Salt Lake to its best ever point total (56) in the 2010 season, his goals also proved vital in helping Real Salt Lake to finish first in its CONCACAF Champions League group, the first time any MLS team has accomplished this feat.
“I am very pleased for my client to plan his long-term future in Utah,” said Horacio Patanian, Saborio’s representative. “Real Salt Lake was always very interested in Saborio and respectful of the process.
"Garth Lagerwey has been outstanding to deal with, and I am very comfortable with the manner in which he and the club have handled the player’s interests.”
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Although Saborio's new contract, which runs through 2014, will keep his wages below the league maximum, the fees associated with the transfer will make him RSL's first ever Designated Player, similar to the Seattle Sounders' acquisition of Alvaro Fernandez earlier in the season.
“First and foremost, I must express the deepest gratitude to Real Salt Lake ownership for stepping up and making the moves necessary to keep this team together,” said Real Salt Lake general manager Garth Lagerwey. “We are delighted that Álvaro has made a long-term commitment to Real Salt Lake, and we hope this signing contributes to our future success."
Saborio, a 28-year-old Costa Rican international with 57 caps and 22 international goals to his name, has played professionally with Sion, Bristol City and Costa Rican giant Deportivo Saprissa prior to his arrival in MLS. In addition to helping Salt Lake to its best ever point total (56) in the 2010 season, his goals also proved vital in helping Real Salt Lake to finish first in its CONCACAF Champions League group, the first time any MLS team has accomplished this feat.
“I am very pleased for my client to plan his long-term future in Utah,” said Horacio Patanian, Saborio’s representative. “Real Salt Lake was always very interested in Saborio and respectful of the process.
"Garth Lagerwey has been outstanding to deal with, and I am very comfortable with the manner in which he and the club have handled the player’s interests.”
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
5 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
RANKINGS: Top three American players all have the week off
Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan were both out of action but remain the top two names on the board.
-
RIGG: Banega joins list of humorous self-inflicted soccer injuries
Professional soccer players injure themselves in a variety of darkly humorous and preventable ways. Banega, by forgetting the handbrake, joins an extensive list.
-
COHEN: When is it time for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger to part ways?
Arsenal's Wenger and Chelsea's Andres Villas-Boas are on the hot seat, and people need to accept that Robbie Keane would rather play in a top league than MLS.
-
ROSANO: Club America secures win emblematic of tight Clausura race
Club America won at home for the first time since August, but coach Miguel Herrera acknowledged the need for improvement. Pachuca coach Efrain Flores lamented the tight result.
-
FOX Soccer Plus free preview - EPL, UCL, Serie A and more
Sign up for FOX Soccer Plus today for access to Premier League, Champions League, Serie A and over 600 exclusive events!
Advertisement
Advertisement
