TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
UPDATE (Jan. 10) – Real Salt Lake have finalized a club-record transfer for 20-year-old winger Carlos Andrés Gómez from Colombian power Millonarios FC, the club announced Tuesday.
Gomez, a U22 Initiative signing, joins through the 2027 MLS season with a player option for 2028.
“This is an exciting day for our club as we bolster a strong returning core with a dynamic attacking addition in Carlos Andres Gómez,” said RSL general manager Elliot Fall. “Andres is a player that quickly rose to the top of our target list over the last several months and we are very pleased to be able to finalize his acquisition.
“His athleticism and creativity will be a welcome addition to our stable of attacking players. We look forward to getting him to the Wasatch Front shortly and integrating him to our group as we pursue hardware across multiple fronts in 2023.”
A Colombia native, Gómez scored 12 goals in 58 appearances during Millonarios’ last two seasons. He made his professional debut in November 2021.
ORIGINAL (Jan. 6) – Real Salt Lake are finalizing a potential club-record deal to sign winger Andrés Gómez from Millonarios FC, a source tells MLSsoccer.com. Gómez would likely be added to their roster as a U22 Initiative signing.
Agreements have been reached on a $4 million transfer fee, which would surpass RSL's previous club-record deal for winger Jefferson Savarino. The Venezuelan international rejoined the club last May from Brazilian Serie A side Atletico Mineiro.
Gómez, 20, has already made 59 first-team appearances with Millonarios, one of the biggest clubs in Colombia's top flight. He has 13 goals and six assists in 4,000 minutes. Millonarios is where LAFC acquired forward Chicho Arango from, as well as where Inter Miami CF signed winger Emerson Rodríguez.
The winger would add to a young core around Braian Ojeda and Diego Luna. They also have Damir Kreilach, who's recovering from back surgery, and other experienced attackers like Justin Meram, Rubio Rubín and Anderson Julio.
Real Salt Lake have experienced a busy winter in terms of departures, as on-loan forward Sergio Córdova returned to FC Augsburg in the German Bundesliga. In another headline, homegrown right back Aaron Herrera was traded to CF Montréal.
RSL are intent on building around youth, with Gómez fitting that mold. They added two Generation adidas signings via the MLS 2023 SuperDraft presented by adidas – attackers Ilijah Paul and Bertin Jacquesson – plus just inked their 36th homegrown signing.
Under head coach Pablo Mastroeni, RSL again made the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2022. Mastroeni guided the team through off-field tumult in 2021 to the playoffs as well, where they made a memorable run to the Western Conference Final.
RSL open their 2023 MLS season on Feb. 25 when visiting Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass).
