Luke Mulholland has announced his retirement from professional soccer after seven years with Real Salt Lake, and now will join the club’s technical staff as a team scout.
Mulholland is expected to oversee internal scouting and will work closely with newly-appointed technical director Kurt Schmid in a global search for players who can benefit the organization.
“I was proud to take the road less traveled in my career,” Mulholland said in a release. “Starting by playing collegiately at a Division II school at Wingate University and then working my way up the professional ladder through the USL and NASL before reaching MLS, it brings me great pride that I was able to play for a decade.
“It was an honor to earn a starting role in my first four years with RSL and play for the fans in Utah before injury derailed things in my playing career. I look forward to utilizing my experience as a player and my education with my Master’s in Business to take the next step in my career as a scout and work my way up the ladder in the front office.”
While in MLS, Mulholland had 16 goals and 16 assists through 123 games (97 starts). He was limited to a combined three appearances across the last three seasons as a back injury limited his contributions.
The 32-year-old England native played with the Tampa Bay Rowdies before signing with RSL. He was also named USL Pro: Rookie of the Year in 2011 while with the Wilmington Hammerheads, starting a 10-year playing career.
“Luke’s knowledge and experience within all levels of soccer alone make him a major asset to our front office, but that coupled with his passion for Real Salt Lake and its community combine for a perfect addition to our staff,” RSL executive vice president of soccer operations Rob Zarkos said in a release. “We are thrilled to be able to provide players opportunities beyond the pitch and are excited to see what Luke can accomplish in his new role.”
Mulholland is the latest RSL player to join the front-office ranks, with Tony Beltran their assistant general manager. In similar capacities, other former RSL players include Portland Timbers technical director Ned Grabavoy and Inter Miami CF academy coach Javier Morales.
