Real Monarchs are making moves early this year, signing three players to bolster the roster: former Portland Timbers player Nick Besler, Ghanaian forward Charles Boateng, and — already announced, but now official — Sebastian Velasquez.

The arrival of Besler full-time to a USL club is perhaps not too surprising, but it does underscore the sort signing the club has been interested in making. Besler, 23, was the fifth overall MLS SuperDraft pick in 2015 for Portland Timbers; he made no MLS appearances with the club.

Besler, a midfielder, has plenty of USL experience, having played with Timbers 2, making 50 appearances over his two seasons in the Pacific Northwest.

Charles Boateng, 19, is a Ghanaian forward who comes on loan from the West African Football Academy, and he’s expected to develop on the wing, according to a club-issued release.

The arrival of Velasquez is already well-known by this point, but his arrival does secure Monarchs’ midfield in a particularly strong position for a USL club. Velasquez and Besler bring plenty of non-MLS first-team experience over the last two years, and they should combine well with the players are already at the club.

While apparently more of a defensive midfielder, Besler is listed as a defender in the club’s latest release.

Real Monarchs roster

Per RSL Communications

Goalkeeper: Connor Sparrow

Defenders: Nick Besler, Andrew Brody*, Max Lachowecki, Emilio Orozco

Midfielders: Charlie Adams, Jesus Leal, Chase Minter, James Moberg, Sebastian Velasquez

Forwards: Charles Boateng, Daniel Haber, Chandler Hoffman, Amet Ramirez

* Brody is listed as a defender, but that’s inaccurate unless the club intends to play him at full back — he’s primarily a winger at this point in his career. That’s been left in accordance with Real Monarchs’ press release.