Official: RSL signs American defender Shawn Barry after seven-year European stint

Sometimes, you sit with a rumor for a while, waiting for something to become official. Other times, news simply drops from the heavens, and that’s where we’re at right now: Real Salt Lake has just announced the signing of 27-year-old Shawn Barry, an American defender with European experience.

Barry, who is listed as a center back or right back, has played in Europe since 2010, when he left University of Virginia for top-tier Austrian club LASK Linz.

In a club-issued press release, RSL general manager Craig Waibel described Barry as a versatile defender with good passing ability.

“He’s got some great professional experience and can play multiple positions along the back line. He’s a guy that can challenge guys on the roster on a weekly basis for playing time,” Waibel said. “He’s a strong, athletic guy who can pass well out of the back. His mid-range passing is phenomenal. He trends more to the way the staff wants to play.”

Barry last played in Poland for Korona Kielce, which he joined in July 2017; before that, he spent two years in Germany’s second and third divisions with FSV Frankfurt.