Robbie Findley officially re-signs with Real Salt Lake after European excursion

Robbie Findley has officially returned to Real Salt Lake after spending two years in England with Nottingham Forest, the club announced on Twitter today.

Findley, who was released from his contract with Nottingham Forest earlier this week, had been selected by Portland Timbers in an expansion draft, who, as a result, retained his MLS rights in perpetuity.

Exactly what RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey handed to Portland Timbers to complete the trade is unknown, although earlier reports from Ives Galarcep pegged it as an allocation deal of approximately $75,000. Whether that amount is or is not accurate is unconfirmed.

In a release on RealSaltLake.com, Lagerwey said Findley's acquisition will help fill a tactical gap at the club.

"We're very pleased to bring Robbie back to Salt Lake," Lagerwey said. "(...) We feel like his speed will add a dimension to our attack that's been missing since his departure(.)"

Findley, who was a vital cog in Real Salt Lake's 2009 MLS Cup-winning campaign, has scored 29 goals for the club; he'll be handed an opportunity to reach second-place in regular season goals: former RSL striker Fabian Espindola netted 35 for the club between 2007 and 2012 before being traded to New York Red Bulls.

In a short statement on Twitter, Portland Timbers president Merritt Paulson said, "(S)ome people scratched heads when we took findley late in a diluted expansion draft. (W)as a gamble worth taking."

Findley's rejoining marks the end of an extended acquisition process.

More to come when an official press release is available.