Team officials said Monday that as part of the deal, they have purchased the contract rights to Morales from UD Vesindario of the Spanish second division. Morales had been on loan to RSL from Vesindario since joining the team last summer.

"He is the perfect prototype for our system," RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey said, "in that he is a gifted technical player who is mobile and willing to work hard."

RSL did not release terms of the deal, but Morales is making $240,000 this season, according to the MLS players union. The 28-year-old Argentine has scored five goals with 12 assists in 31 games for RSL.

Morales and the rest of his teammates will practice for the first time at the new RSL Stadium in Sandy today, as part of their preparation to meet San Jose on Saturday.