Real Salt Lake officially announced the signing of Pablo Ruiz Friday, acquiring the 19-year-old midfielder as a Discovery Signing.
“We’ve been watching him for quite a while and it’s all about timing,” RSL general manager Craig Waibel said in a team release. “It’s the right time to bring him in. It’s going to take a little while to transition — it’s a big change in his life and culture — but we’re really excited. He’s a really talented central player and we’re challenging the depth of the central part of our team this year.”
Ruiz will join the team in preseason and be added to the roster, occupying an international slot, upon the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 visa.
Ruiz makes the move from Chilean club CD San Luis de Quillota, which he joined in July. The dual international developed in Argentina’s youth national team system, making three appearances in the 2015 U-17 World Cup. However, he is set to switch to the Chilean side on the senior international level, according to the RSL release.