HERRIMAN, Utah – (Monday, August 9, 2021) – Real Salt Lake announced a loan agreement to send Homegrown forward Chris Garcia to Ljungskile SK in Sweden’s second division for the entirety of the Superettan season, which is scheduled to end its regular season in late November.
“Growth and development is an important part of our structure and this is a great opportunity for Chris to develop and mature,” RSL Yechnical Director Kurt Schmid said. “We have seen success with this model with Andrew Brody and Pablo Ruiz in Austria and plan to continue to leverage our relationships with clubs abroad to provide our players with these opportunities.”
Garcia joined Real Salt Lake out of the RSL Academy, becoming the club’s 21st Homegrown Player at just 17 years old. The young forward made his professional debut as a substitute against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on September 19, 2020. Since then he has appeared in three matches in the USL Championship with the Real Monarchs, including one start.
Previously, RSL loaned Brody and Ruiz to FC Pinzgau Saalfelden in Austria’s third division. Brody has gone on to log two assists in nine appearances this season for RSL, including seven as a starter. Ruiz has one goal and four assists in 32 appearances over the last two seasons and has become a regular in Real Salt Lake’s midfield.
Additionally, the Monarchs have agreed to mutually part ways with Juan Vidal. The Colombian forward signed with the Real Monarchs on January 26, 2021 from CF Barranquilla and has not yet made an appearance with the club.
Transaction: Real Salt Lake loans forward Chris Garcia to Ljungskile SK in Sweden for the 2021 season.
