Luke Mulholland, top NASL midfielder, signs with RSL

Real Salt Lake has signed 25-year-old midfielder Luke Mulholland, according to a club press release today.

Mulholland has played with NASL side Tampa Bay Rowdies since 2012, and he played against Real Salt Lake in the US Open Cup in 2011 while he was with Wilmington Hammerheads. Tampa Bay Rowdies finished second in NASL in 2013, with Mulholland playing an important role.

His time in NASL seems to have served him well, as he was named to back-to-back Best XIs; in 51 appearances, he scored 17 goals and had 13 assists.

Mulholland, from Preston, England, has spent his soccer career in the United States, playing four years at Wingate University and being involved in occasional action with Reading United.

The move comes as somewhat of a surprise, as he joins a packed midfield group.

Update: Mulholland does use an international roster spot, according to RSL communications.