REAL SALT LAKE SIGNS MF EVERTON LUIZ ON PERMANENT TRANSFER

Veteran Midfielder Was On Loan from S.P.A.L. in Italy; RSL Exercised the Purchase Option to Bring Luiz to the Club on a Permanent Basis

SANDY, Utah (Wednesday, December 4, 2019) – Real Salt Lake announced today that the club has exercised the purchase option on Brazilian MF Everton Luiz bringing him to RSL on a permanent transfer from Società Polisportiva Ars et Labor (S.P.A.L.) in Italy’s Serie A. Previously on loan for the 2019 season, Luiz now joins RSL on a permanent basis using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).

“We are thrilled to be able to keep a foundational piece of our midfield,” RSL General Manager Elliot Fall said. “He joined us in 2019 and quickly established himself as a key contributor to everything we are trying to do.”

Luiz, 31, was voted Real Salt Lake’s Most Valuable Player by his teammates after starting in 24 of his 27 appearances in his first season with the club. He had two assists and led RSL with 73 tackles, ranking 19th in MLS.

“With such a young team, Everton added a veteran presence and his work-ethic and ability to break up plays while showing some flare was important to our success,” RSL Head Coach Freddy Juarez said. “He adds to our toughness on the field and his professionalism in the locker room helps set the tone for what we want to do as a club.”

Luiz worked his way through the ranks in Brazil with Ponte Preta, Palmeiras and CRB with several loans along the way, including with Mexico’s San Luis, before landing with FC Lugano in Switzerland in 2013. He played one season with Lugano before moving to St. Gallen, playing two more seasons in the Swiss Super League. His next stop came in Serbia, where he won the Serbian Cup twice and earned Serbian SuperLiga Team of the Season honors for his efforts in winning the Serbian SuperLiga in 2016-17. That led to a move to S.P.A.L. in Italy, where he helped the club avoid relegation in the 2017-18 season.

Real Salt Lake finished the 2019 season third in the Western Conference at 16-13-5 (53 points) and advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals for the second consecutive season.

TRANSACTION: Signed midfielder Everton Luiz on a permanent transfer from S.P.A.L.