TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Signing
Real Salt Lake added a potentially key piece to their engine room on Wednesday, announcing the signing of Croatian central midfielder Damir Kreilach via the use of Targeted Allocation Money.
Kreilach, 28, joins RSL from Union Berlin of Germany’s 2. Bundesliga, where he scored 33 goals in 147 matches over the past five seasons and became a fan favorite.
“We’re really excited about bringing Damir in. He’s got a ton of experience and challenges our depth immediately,” said RSL general manager Craig Waibel in a club release. “He brings talent. He brings leadership – he was the co-captain at Union Berlin. He’s a good person. He’s going to be a good fit in our locker room.”
According to Union’s website, the German club released Kreilach from his contract, which ran until summer 2019, at his request as he pursued a “dream” move to MLS. He made his final match appearance for Union on Monday night, playing 71 minutes in a 1-1 draw against Arminia Bielefeld.
"I've played for two clubs in my 10 professional years so far, [Croatian side HNK] Rijeka and Union. Now I have the chance to make a dream come true and to go to America with my family,” said Kreilach, a former Croatian youth international. “That is why I am very grateful to Union for allowing me to take advantage of this opportunity. I know that's not a matter of course.”
He will occupy an international slot on Salt Lake’s roster and will join the club in preseason, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and visa.
