This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Real Salt Lake's latest offseason addition will "challenge the status quo," this according to general manager Craig Waibel. On Thursday, RSL announced the signing of 27-year-old Nigerian midfielder Sunday "Sunny" Stephen Obayan, pending approval of a visa and the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

"He's going to force the coaching staff to make tough decisions and force players to perform at a higher level," Waibel said in a club release. "He's a quality player that we think can contribute right away when he adjusts to play in America."

Obayan will arrive at RSL having spent the last 11 years as a professional in Europe and Asia playing for eight different clubs. He spent four seasons on contract at La Liga club Valencia from 2007 to 2011. While on contract at Valencia, he was loaned out to clubs such as Osasuna, Real Betis and CD Numancia, where Obayan eventually moved to on a full-time basis in 2011.

In three seasons at Numancia, Obayan saw time in 76 matches. Since his time in Spain, he's moved on to play for clubs in Israel, Bulgaria and most recently for Alanyaspor in Turkey.

"I am very happy and excited to join Real Salt Lake, a club with a winning history in MLS," Obayan said in the club release. "I look forward to a successful season, challenging myself to meeting my new teammates and the fans in Salt Lake. I am coming to challenge myself in a competitive league and win titles."

Born in Nigeria, Obayan has caps with Spain at the youth national team level, playing with the country's U-19, U-20 and U-21 teams. In 2010, he had his first senior national team cap with Nigeria.

Obayan is a defensive midfielder expected to compete for minutes in the RSL midfield alongside captain Kyle Beckerman and Luke Mulholland. Like RSL's first-round draft pick Omar Holness, Obayan is a rangy midfielder who is expected to cover ground in support of the attack and helping cut out opposing attacks.

"He's really active, physically adept and technically sound," Waibel said. "He covers a lot of space and adds to the quality of our midfield."

Earlier Thursday, RSL announced it mutually parted ways with striker Sebastian Jaime after nearly 18 months after his arrival from Chile.

-Chris Kamrani

Twitter: @chriskamrani