TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
Real Salt Lake have signed midfielder Justin Portillo from their USL affiliate Real Monarchs, the club announced Tuesday. Portillo was the club's MVP in 2018.
Portillo, 26, had two goals and six assists across 32 matches for the Monarchs in 2018. He made 142 total appearances in the USL Championship between stints with the Monarchs and Charleston Battery.
“Justin has been impressive in his time with the Monarchs and has earned the opportunity to sign a first team contract,” General Manager Craig Waibel said in a team statement. “It’s a great credit to his own talent and hard work and it’s great as an organization to be able to reward that commitment.”
He is the eighth player to sign with RSL after first joining the Monarchs.
“This is a dream come true,” Portillo said. “Ever since I was a little kid, watching the games on TV I wanted to be in the league. It’s an exciting time for me and my family. It’s something I think that I’m ready to challenge for. I can’t wait to keep going with the club.”