Real Salt Lake signs Union Berlin co-captain to bolster midfield

SANDY — Real Salt Lake isn’t done building its roster yet.

Utah’s Major League Soccer club announced Wednesday morning it has acquired Union Berlin co-captain Damir Kreilach, a native of Vukovar, Croatia, using the league’s targeted-allocation money (TAM) mechanism.

The deal, which is subject to the receipt of Kreilach’s international transfer certificate and a U.S. visa, will make the Croatian midfielder the ninth midfielder on the club’s roster after adding Pablo Ruiz, 19, of Argentina, last week.

Both players will occupy international roster spots for Real Salt Lake.

“We’re really excited about bringing Damir in. He’s got a ton of experience and challenges our depth immediately,” RSL general manager Craig Waibel said in a statement. “He brings talent. He brings leadership. He’s a good person. He’s going to be a good fit in our locker room.”

The 28-year-old box-to-box midfielder played 71 minutes Monday night in Union Berlin’s 1-1 draw against Arminia Bielefeld. Kreilach played five seasons with the German second division side, scoring 33 goals across 147 matches that include a career-best 12-goal season in 2015-16.

Prior to his move to Germany, Kreilach played for Rijeka in the Croatian first division, making his pro debut at 18 years old with the club.

Kreilach is expected to join RSL during the preseason, prior to the MLS side’s March 3 season opener at FC Dallas.

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