TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Extension
Real Salt Lake have signed midfielder Pablo Ruiz to a contract extension, the club announced Sunday. Under terms of the new agreement, Ruiz will remain with the club through the 2025 season.
“Pablo is an immensely talented young player and has established himself as a foundational piece of our roster in 2020,” RSL general manager Elliot Fall said in a statement. “He is a player who has shown his ability to impact matches at a high-level right now, but has almost limitless potential to become even more. His development over the last 18 months has been fantastic to watch and we are thrilled to finalize this agreement and ensure RSL is the club where Pablo will take the next steps in his career.”
The 21-year-old was originally signed from San Luis on Feb. 2, 2018 and spent the 2019 season on loan with FC Pinzgau Saafelden and Real Monarchs in the USL Championship. He’s enjoyed a breakout 2020, starting 13 of 16 matches this season, including eight matches in a row before coming off the substitute’s bench against San Jose Wednesday.
He has one goal and one assist on the season. That lone goal was an equalizing banger from distance five minutes from time against the Seattle Sounders that earned him AT&T Goal of the Week honors.
Watch: Pablo Ruiz stunning first MLS goal
“For me it means a lot to sign another contract with Real Salt Lake and I am very happy to see my bond with the club extended,” Ruiz said. “First of all I want to thank the fans who have given me a lot of affection; my teammates who have given helped me a lot; the coaching staff who have given me a lot of confidence so that today I can have a new bond with the club; and finally I am very happy to be able to continue playing for Real Salt Lake.”
Prior to signing with RSL, Ruiz played one season for San Luis in Chile and made 10 appearances for the Argentina U-17 National Team, scoring two goals.
“Pablo’s improvements in his professionalism, his defending and his fitness have been commendable,” RSL coach Freddy Juarez said. “Those aspects compliment his strengths and make him a more complete player, which makes him an important part of the team going forward.”
