Real Salt Lake are extending their roster, signing midfielder Diego Luna from USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive to a two-year contract with Club options for the 2025 and 2026 MLS seasons.
He joins as a Homegrown Player after RSL obtained the rights from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money. Additionally, the Earthquakes could come to receive GAM based on various service and performance milestones achieved by Luna.
“I believe Real Salt Lake is an historic club with an amazing and vibrant fan base; I am grateful for the faith RSL has in me and my abilities, and I look forward to contributing to the team,” said Luna during his first 24 hours in Utah on Wednesday.
“After speaking with the front office about their strong interest and plan for me, I am convinced this was the right move for my career. I will forever be grateful to El Paso for giving me my first professional contract, and the opportunity to showcase myself as I face new challenges.”
Luna stood out to the MLS side after a breakout year with El Paso Locomotive, managing four goals and two assists in just 10 matches this season. He previously recorded 13 goals and seven assists in 41 matches throughout the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
The player is also balancing club and country, representing the United States Under-20 side in 2021 and joining the Stars-and-Stripes last November for the inaugural Revelations Cup held in Mexico. He is set to join the team again for the upcoming Concacaf Under 20 World Cup qualifying tournament in Honduras.
“Everyone at RSL welcomes the opportunity to further sharpen a young player such as Diego Luna on our senior roster, opening the doors of our Homegrown development paradigm to a proven, albeit young, dual national No. 10 on the ascent in his professional career,” said Real Salt Lake Technical Director Kurt Schmid.
“Luna has blossomed in the last 18 months at El Paso, and we are excited to get him integrated into our system, to learn from Pablo Mastroeni and his staff, while also watching him assert his skills at the upcoming CONCACAF U-20 tourney this month.”
Real Salt Lake currently sit in third on the Western Conference table, and return to the pitch on Saturday when traveling to BC Place to face the Vancouver Whitecaps.
