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Real Salt Lake Secures Return of Dynamic Winger Jefferson Savarino as Designated Player

May 4, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


HERRIMAN, Utah - As Major League Soccer's primary transfer window comes to a close, Real Salt Lake confirmed the return of Venezuelan FW Jefferson Savarino, the fan-favorite who starred at Rio Tinto Stadium from 2017-19. Savarino, now 25, returns on a four-year guaranteed contract through 2025, with a Club option for the 2026 season. An extraordinarily versatile attacker who won six trophies at Atletico Mineiro in Brazil since being sold two years ago from RSL to the Belo Horizonte-based side, Savarino is expected to arrive later this month as the Club's newest Designated Player, acquired via the Club's No. 1 spot in Major League Soccer's Allocation Ranking.

"Bringing Jefferson back to Salt Lake has been an exciting process in recent months - obviously we have great memories of him here representing our badge, our colors, our community, and certainly sparking our attack," said Real Salt Lake General Manager Elliot Fall, who was heavily involved with both the initial acquisition of Savarino in May, 2017 as well as the player's sale to Atletico Mineiro 26 months ago. "During his time in Brazil over the last couple years, Jefferson has matured as a player and as a person. We expect him to provide even more danger as a playmaking and finishing option for RSL, and look forward to him combining with so many pieces on the roster. Our Club could not be more elated to welcome Jefferson and his family back to Utah."

Savarino spent three seasons with Real Salt Lake (2017-19) on loan and then on permanent transfer from Zulia FC, his home club in Venezuela, prior to being sold to Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro in February, 2020. Savarino scored 22 goals and added 21 assists in 87 games (83 starts) across MLS competitions during his previous stint on the Wasatch Front, ranking 10th amongst reg. season RSL goal scorers (21) and sixth in assists (21). An attacking standout, Savarino led the 2018 team in game-winning goals (3), assists per game (0.34), shots (78), shots on goal (31), fouls suffered (70) and offside (18). Savarino led the 2019 RSL side in shots (79), shots on goal (37), and shots on goal percentage (46.8).

"My family and I have long anticipated a return to Utah; we have great memories of the fans, the community, the stadium and of course my teammates," said Savarino today from Venezuela, whose acquisition is pending receipt of both work visa and International Transfer Certificate paperwork. "I am told that our locker room is very much together, very tight-knit, and that the Club is poised for success. I look forward to meeting Pablo Mastroeni in person and working with him and the entire staff, as my friend Damir has shared with me wonderful things. I am grateful to Elliot, the new owners and everyone who helped make this move back to Real Salt Lake happen. I am focused on scoring goals and creating excitement and doing absolutely whatever it takes to bring trophies and success to Utah."

Upon arrival, Savarino will be reunited in Utah with several former RSL teammates, including Captain Damir Kreilach, DF Justen Glad & Aaron Herrera, centerback Marcelo Silva and MF Everton Luiz, amongst others - as well as fellow Vinotinto FW Sergio Cordova, who joined the Utah side in February on loan from FC Augsburg (German Bundesliga).

During his two-and-a-half-year stint in Brazil, Savarino provided numerous critical goals for Mineiro, across various South American competitions - totalling 21 goals & 21 assists in 93 appearances. In League play, Savarino's side earned won the "Campeonato Mineiro" League title in each of his three seasons (2020, 2021, 2022), as well as the 2021 Copa do Brasil and the 2021 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. This 2022 season brought Savarino's side additional hardware via the Supercopa do Brasil. Savarino also competed in the highly-prestigious Copa Libertadores for Mineiro in 2020 and 2021.

#11 - Jefferson Savarino

Pronunciation: YEFF - er - son sav - uh - REE - no

Position: Forward

Height: 5-9

Weight: 158

Hometown:

Date of Birth: 11 November 1996 (25)

Nationality: Venezuelan

How Acquired: Signed via permanent transfer from Atletico Mineiro (Brazil)

TRANSACTION: Real Salt Lake sign FW Jefferson Savarino via Allocation from Atletico Mineiro on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.

As of May 4, 2022, Real Salt Lake's current roster during the ongoing MLS campaign, listed alphabetically by position, is as follows:

Goalkeepers (4): Gavin Beavers, Jeff Dewsnup, Zac MacMath, David Ochoa

Defenders (11): Andrew Brody, Zack Farnsworth, Justen Glad, Bret Halsey, Aaron Herrera, Erik Holt, Chris Kablan, Johan Kappelhof, Jaziel Orozco, Marcelo Silva, Tate Schmitt

Midfielders (10): Julio Benitez, Nick Besler, Scott Caldwell, Maikel Chang, Bode Davis, Damir Kreilach, Jasper Löffelsend, Everton Luiz, Pablo Ruiz, Jude Wellings

Forwards (9): Sergio Cordova, Chris Garcia, Anderson Julio, Axel Kei, Jonathan Menendez, Justin Meram, Rubio Rubin, Jefferson Savarino, Bobby Wood

Through the first 10 games of the 2022 MLS campaign, RSL (4-2-4, 16 pts, t-3rd West) played six of its first nine away, with seven games against 2021 MLS Cup opponents. For the first time in Club history, RSL opened the year with four consecutive sellouts at Rio Tinto Stadium, Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni has utilized 24 players throughout the injury-filled first quarter of the year, as the Club has lost nearly 70 combined games due to injury, suspension or international duty.

Real Salt Lake finished last season in dramatic fashion, booking its place in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs on Decision Day before making a run to the Western Conference Final following a 14-14-6 regular-season record. RSL will return home next Saturday, May 14, hosting Austin FC to open a stretch that sees five of eight matches played on the Wasatch Front.

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