Official: RSL signs academy grad Aaron Herrera

Real Salt Lake has officially inked right back Aaron Herrera to a first-team contract, confirming speculation that the player was imminently moving to RSL from the University of New Mexico.

Herrera, 20, signs with Real Salt Lake after three years with UNM; despite playing in college, he continued to receive call-ups to the United States U-20 national team, featuring internationally in the U-20 World Cup.

In a club-issued press release, RSL general manager Craig Waibel said Herrera’s signing is the fruit of the club’s developmental labor.

"Aaron is another example of a player who developed under Martin Vasquez and Freddy Juarez at our Academy and put in the work to become a professional. There are so many different paths those players have taken, but it just goes further to emphasize that there are so many different ways to successfully develop talents in this country," Waibel said. "We are extremely proud of Aaron for his accomplishments thus far and are excited to have him continue his career at the pro level with Real Salt Lake."