HERRIMAN, Utah (Tuesday, February 1, 2022) – Real Monarchs have announced the return of midfielder Leo Torres on a season-long loan from San Antonio FC ahead of the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season.
“Real Monarchs are excited to welcome back Leo Torres on loan for the entirety of the 2022 season. Having had Leo with us for the latter months of the 2021 season, our staff is well versed in his abilities as a footballer, his character, and his potential for growth. We look forward to seeing Leo’s continued progress this year,” Real Salt Lake Assistant General Manager Tony Beltran said.
Torres, 18, first joined Real Monarchs in September of last year while the team was in the midst of the 2021 USL Championship season. Upon his arrival he became an immediate contributor, appearing in each of the team’s remaining seven matches.
While with the Monarchs, Torres scored his first professional goal on October 16 against Austin Bold, rocketing a shot from distance in the 27th minute. The young midfielder scored his second professional goal just eight minutes later, doubling the team’s lead in what would be a dramatic 4-3 victory at Zions Bank Stadium. His brace subsequently landed him a spot on week 26’s USL Championship Team of the Week.
Torres joined San Antonio FC in February of 2019 as the first professional to sign from the club’s academy. He became the youngest to ever sign a contract in USL Championship history, putting pen to paper at 15 years and 23 days. While with San Antonio he has appeared in eight matches.
Real Monarchs are set to compete in MLS NEXT Pro for the 2022 season, the schedule for which will be released at a later date. This move comes after seven seasons in the USL Championship, during which the team won the 2019 USL Championship Cup, the 2017 USL Regular Season Shield and the Western Conference Title in both 2017 and 2019, while also qualifying for the postseason in 2018.
Tickets for Real Monarchs can be purchased by calling 844.Real.Tix or visiting www.RSL.com/tickets.
TRANSACTION: Real Monarchs acquire Leo Torres on loan from San Antonio FC.
Player Information
Name: Leo Torres
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'8"
Date of Birth: January 22, 2004
Age: 18
Birthplace: Devine, Texas
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: San Antonio FC
How Acquired: Signed on February 1, 2021
