Saunders, Stephenson sign for RSL; squad hits 29-player mark

Likely to be the last of Real Salt Lake's preseason personnel decisions, goalkeeper Josh Saunders and midfielder Khari Stephenson have both officially signed with the club, Aaron Falk of the Salt Lake Tribune reported today.

Saunders, formerly of Los Angeles Galaxy, and Stephenson, formerly of San Jose Earthquakes, have been training with the club for some weeks now.

Saunders, who won two MLS championships in the last two years with the Galaxy, joins as a second-choice goalkeeper behind Nick Rimando. He made 46 regular season appearances for the Galaxy during that time and had been with the club since 2005, and in 2003 and 2004 was an unused backup goalkeeper for San Jose Earthquakes.

Stephenson, who won the Supporters Shield in 2012 with San Jose Earthquakes, provides midfield depth with his arrival. He was drafted into MLS in 2004 by Chicago Fire, but was traded following the preseason to the Kansas City Wizards. From 2006 to 2009, he played in Scandinavia — 2006, GAIS in Sweden; 2007–2008, AIK in Sweden; 2008-2010, Aalesunds FK in Norway. He has also made 28 appearances for the Jamaican national team.

The terms of both deals are not yet released or confirmed. Real Salt Lake's squad size sits now at 29 players.