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Real Salt Lake acquires veteran midfielder Kelyn Rowe

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Kelyn Rowe, front, and LA Galaxy's Favio Alvarez battle for control during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, May 29, 2019, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Real Salt Lake made a roster move just before the summer transfer window closed.

The club announced Wednesday that it acquired Kelyn Rowe from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for a 2019 international roster spot and $75,000 in targeted allocation money, which will be split between this season and next. RSL will be responsible for $100,000 of Rowe’s budget charge.

“I’m excited for a new opportunity with Real Salt Lake,” Rowe said in a club release. “They have an exciting group of players that have come together well this year and I’m looking forward to what I can contribute.”

Rowe, a midfielder, played 14 games and started seven for SKC, which sits 10th in the Western Conference standings. He had two assists and scored no goals in 690 total minutes.

Rowe joined Kansas City via trade with New England, where he spent the first seven seasons of his MLS career. He scored 29 goals and added 40 assists while with the Revolution.

“Kelyn adds experience and depth to our midfield and can play in several positions,” RSL general manager Craig Waibel said in the release. “He is someone we have sought to acquire for some time and will certainly be a player that can press for time on the field. He is very experienced in our league and will be a great addition in the locker room.”

Rowe will join the team for training on Monday. He will be competing for playing time with an RSL midfield contingent that includes Kyle Beckerman, Everton Luiz, Nick Besler, Luke Mulholland, Damir Kreilach and Albert Rusnák.

Rowe has four international appearances with the United States Men’s National Team, all in 2017. The 27-year-old, Federal Way, Wash., native played two years at UCLA before starting his MLS career.