HERRIMAN, Utah (Monday, Feb 2, 2026) - Real Salt Lake Assistant Sporting Director Tony Beltran announced today the signing of RSL Academy product and Canadian youth international FW Van Parker to an MLS Homegrown contract, guaranteed through the 2029-30 season with a Club option for the 2030-31 season. Rounding out the Claret-and-Cobalt’s 2026 homegrown class, Parker joins recent first-team signings MF Griffin Dillon, FW Diego Rocio and FW Antonio Riquelme in extending the Club’s all-time count of Academy homegrowns to 49, the leader amongst all 30 MLS sides at the forefront of youth development.
“Van has more than earned this professional opportunity through a remarkable dedication to his craft and the consistent character he’s shown throughout his time in our Academy,” stated Beltran. “While this contract marks a culmination of his youth career, it is more so the starting line for all required to succeed at the professional level. We are beyond excited for Van and look forward to supporting his continued evolution and growth as he meets the challenges of tomorrow head on.”
Parker, 17, now inks his first-ever professional contract following a 2025 campaign that saw him make massive strides. Playing a large part in the RSL Academy U16 attack, Parker notched three goals in the knockout stages of the 2025 Generation adidas Cup, including a brace in the title game, a dominant 4-0 win over rival LA Galaxy.
Continuing the hot streak, Parker opened up the MLS NEXT Cup with six goals and two assists in the first three matches of the tournament. The dominant performance led Parker to being named 2025 MLS NEXT Cup MVP while earning 2025 MLS NEXT Cup Golden Boot honors en route to the Club’s historic “Double”.
Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 MLS NEXT season and claiming the two most prestigious MLS NEXT sanctioned tournament titles, Parker earned MLS NEXT All-Star honors, starting in the game and appearing in the first 45 minutes of the match for the West.
“It’s a surreal feeling being here now, in this moment, accomplishing a dream I’ve had since I was a kid,” stated Parker. “This Club means a lot to me, it's helped me grow since entering these doors as a kid. The moment I walked into this campus, the coaches and front office believed in me, always pushing me to become my best self. I’m excited to continue to put in the work and develop further.”
Internationally, Parker has become a staple for Canada U17 Head Coach Mike Vitulano, regularly receiving selection invitations. Most notably, Parker appeared in all four of Canada’s high-level matches last year, participating in the 2025 U17 World Cup in Qatar, where the Canucks earned their first-ever victory in the competition, a 2-1 win over Uganda.
TRANSACTION: Real Salt Lake signed 17-year-old FW Van Parker to a Homegrown MLS deal, guaranteed through the 2029-30 season with a Club option for the 2030-2031 season.
RSL concluded its Iberian peninsula experience against fellow MLS Western Conference foe FC Dallas (Fri., Jan. 30), before completing its 24-hour door-to-door travels, returning to Utah on Sun., Feb. 1.
After spending the first week of February back in Utah, the Claret-and-Cobalt then wrap up its 22nd preseason slate with two games in Southern California, facing off against DF Kobi Henry’s former USL Championship side, Orange County SC (Sat., Feb. 7), as well as MLS Cup 2024 champions LA Galaxy (Fri., Feb. 13), the latter match being played outside of Palm Springs, Calif. Late preseason arrivals Victor Olatunji and Ari Piol, as well as newly-acquired RSL player Stijn Spierings, are expected to feature extensively in the California portion of preseason.
RSL then kicks off its 2026 Major League Soccer campaign on Sat., Feb. 21 at B.C. Place, home of the reigning Western Conference champion, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, one week prior to the Claret-and-Cobalt’s 2026 home opener at America First Field against long-time rival Seattle Sounders FC on Sat., Feb. 28. Both of RSL’s February games kick off at 5:30p MT, with season ticket and four-game packages NOW AVAILABLE at www.RSL.com/tickets.
--- www.RSL.com ---
