Real Salt Lake: Reports say RSL sign Argentinean “Burrito” Martinez

It appears Real Salt Lake has again dipped into the Argentinean soccer pool.

A source confirmed to the Tribune on Monday evening that RSL and 29-year-old forward Juan Manuel Martinez have reached a verbal agreement on a contract three days before the secondary transfer window closes Thursday.

Martinez spent the past three seasons at Boca Juniors, one of Argentina's most-storied clubs. Nicknamed "Burrito," Martinez scored 12 goals in 76 appearances with Boca Juniors.

An RSL team spokesman declined comment.

A forward-winger hybrid, Martinez is expected to round out the club's forward corps, primarily as a wide attacking threat in the club's 4-3-3 formation.

According to reports from Mexico two weeks ago, Martinez was recently in advanced talks with Mexican club Cruz Azul after his contract at Boca Juniors — scheduled to expire in December — was terminated by the club.

But the discussions with Cruz Azul broke off on July 21, according to a report from Mexican sports publication Récord.

Martinez started his professional career in 2003, signing with Vélez Sársfield of the Argentine Primera Division. After 10 years there, he moved to Corinthians in Brazil for a season before joining Boca Juniors in the winter of 2013. It was reported Monday on ESPNFC.com that Martinez returned to Vélez to train with his old club to stay in shape as he figured out his next professional stop.

It appears to be with RSL.

Martinez will be the latest Argentine attacker to sign with RSL, who have brought Javier Morales, Fabian Espindola, and most recently, Sebastian Jaime to Major League Soccer.

ckamrani@sltrib.com

Twitter: @chriskamrani