Real Salt Lake Announce New Multi-Year Contract for Albert Rusnak

Real Salt Lake and Slovakian National Team player Albert Rusnak has signed a multi-year contract with RSL that runs through 2021.

It’s a deal that has long been expected, and the biggest surprised is how long it’s taken to see an announcement made. Rusnak delayed his travel to the September 30th game in Kansas City, likely due to contract negotiations. Stu Holden then reported that Rusnak was re-signing and that deal would make him the highest paid designated player in RSL history.

Today’s announcement include the following quote from Rusnak:

“I wanted to stay with Real Salt Lake because this is the perfect place to continue to develop as a player. I enjoy working with Mike Petke and want to thank him, Craig Waibel and Dell Loy Hansen for their support and belief in me,” Rusnák said. “I have really enjoyed playing for Real Salt Lake the last two years and I am now looking forward to us competing and bringing an MLS Cup back to the fans who have given me and my teammates unbelievable support.”

Rusnak has scored 17 goals and 21 assists in his two years with Real and has been a pivotal piece in the attack. The young Slovakian replaced Javier Morales in the number 10 role. It was a big pair of shoes to fill, but Rusnak has done a good job in that spot.

It’s a good move for Real Salt Lake. It allows the team to keep one of it’s key players for the next few years and gives them more negotiating power should they want to sell Rusnak to another team.