By FRANCO PANIZO
Real Salt Lake added some more attacking punch to their team on Thursday, signing young Colombian forward Olmes Garcia to a multi-year deal.
The 20-year-old Garcia joins RSL after the club paid a transfer fee to his former team, Deportes Quindio of Colombia’s top flight. There are no details regarding how much RSL dished out for Garcia, but the Western Conference powerhouse surprisingly announced that the youngster signed a five-year deal.
A Barranquilla, Colombia native, Garcia scored seven goals in 47 appearances for Deportes Quindio since turning pro in early 2011. Last year, Garcia made 26 starts and netted five times for the Colombian side.
“Garcia is a talented player who is a significant part of our long-term plan,” RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey said in a statement released by the club. “He’s fast, has good size and is skilled, but he’ll need some time to get used to our system and to Utah. We’ll be patient with him as we help him adjust to a new country, a new team, a new language, a new culture and new tactics.”
Garcia made his preseason debut for Real Salt Lake in their 3-2 win over the New England Revolution in the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup on Wednesday night, coming off the bench and playing 25 minutes.
Here is a video discussing Garcia’s arrival:
What do you think of Real Salt Lake signing Garcia? Expecting him to contribute this season? Think he will thrive in MLS?
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