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RSL promotes an academy forward to the pro squad

(Photo Courtesy of Real Salt Lake) RSL Academy forward Chris Garcia strikes the ball during a recent preseason training session in Phoenix. The club signed Garcia to a homegrown contract on Monday, Feb. 10, 2019.

  | Feb. 10, 2020, 9:23 p.m.

Real Salt Lake has brought another academy player into the professional ranks.

The club announced Monday that it signed forward Christoper Garcia to a homegrown contract. Garcia has been training with the team throughout the preseason.

“Chris is the latest in a long line of extremely talented players to come from our academy,” RSL General Manager Elliot Fall said in a statement. “He has already proven himself a standout academy performer and has been excellent when incorporated into professional training sessions. His technical ability and fantastic work rate give him an unlimited ceiling on his professional career.”

Garcia scored 18 goals in 38 games with the RSL Academy while playing mainly on the Under-17 squad.

Garcia joins other homegrown players like defenders Aaron Herrera, Justen Glad, Erik Holt and Donny Toia; goalkeeper David Ochoa, midfielder Luis Arriaga; and forwards Corey Baird, Milan Iloski, Tate Schmitt and Julian Vazquez. He’s the 21st homegrown signing in the club’s history.