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Real Salt Lake has completed the most recent of several offseason signings today, finalizing a deal for Argentine midfielder Pablo Ruiz.
Ruiz, 19, last played at Chilean club San Luis de Quillota, and he was a presence in Argentina’s 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup squad.
In a club-issued press release, RSL general manager Craig Waibel said Ruiz’s signing comes on the back of extended scouting.
“We’ve been watching him for quite a while and it’s all about timing. It’s the right time to bring him in. It’s going to take a little while to transition – it’s a big change in his life and culture – but we’re really excited,” Waibel said. “He’s a really talented central player and we’re challenging the depth of the central part of our team this year.”
“Challenging the depth” is an interesting piece of the equation, as it confirms pretty much all assumptions that Ruiz wouldn’t be coming in as a guaranteed starter by any stretch.