Real Salt Lake have added to their new-look defense by adding a player with European and international experience.
The club announced the signing of Jamaican defender Demar Phillips on Friday. Per league and club policy, further terms of the contract will not be disclosed.
"Demar brings a veteran presence to our backline. He has played in different leagues around the world and brings that club experience along with his international experience to bolster our defense," said RSL technical director Craig Waibel in a statement. "He's an exciting, attack-minded left back, so we look forward to what he can bring to the team on that end, and he's a defender first so he will fit in well with our team's mentality."
Phillips, 31, played six seasons with Aalesunds FK in Norway's First Division, leading them to Norwegian Football Cup titles in 2009 and 2011 and three straight appearances in the Europa League tournament from 2010-2012.
He started his professional career with Waterhouse FC in Jamaica. He played five seasons there, winning the league title in 2006 before moving to Stoke City in England in 2007. After two seasons with the Potters, he moved to Aalesunds in 2009.
In addition to his club career, Phillips has also played a consistent role with the Jamaican national team since making his international debut in 2006. He has 62 caps in his international career and 12 goals. He featured regularly for Jamaica in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
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Phillips will likely feature at left back on an RSL team seeing significant changes in defense from last season. Incumbent starting left back Chris Wingert was selected in the Expansion Draft by New York City FC, while Nat Borchers was traded to the Portland Timbers. Former RSL center back Jamison Olave returned to the club in a trade from the New York Red Bulls in the offseason, and he and Phillips will likely feature with Chris Schuler and Tony Beltran on the backline.
