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MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Signs Defender Johan Kappelhof

February 18, 2022 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


HERRIMAN, Utah - Real Salt Lake has signed free agent defender Johan Kappelhof ahead of the 2022 season, the Club announced today. Kappelhof joins RSL on a one-year contract with a Club option for 2023.

"We're excited to welcome Johan to Real Salt Lake," RSL Technical Director Kurt Schmid said. "Johan's experience in Major League Soccer speaks for itself and adds value to our roster. His veteran presence and understanding of what it takes to compete in this league will only enhance the competition within our roster, specifically our back line."

Kappelhof, 31, was most recently a consistent figure in central defense for Chicago Fire FC from 2016-21 where he logged 147 appearances in his six years with Chicago, 140 of which were starts during the regular season. Primarily playing at the center back position, Kappelhof recorded 10 assists and was named an MLS All-Star in 2017.

In addition to his regular season tallies, he made one appearance in 2017 for the Fire in the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, the club's first playoff appearance since 2012.Kappelhof is only the second Dutch player in RSL's 18 years, and the first since the 2009 Major League Soccer Season. Kappelhof joins Rachid El Khalifi, who helped RSL earn the 2009 MLS Cup - Utah's only major sports trophy - as the only two Dutchmen to don the Claret and Cobalt.

Climbing the ranks through the vaunted Ajax Academy, Kappelhof began his professional career in 2011 in his native Netherlands, featuring for FC Groningen where he made 123 appearances, scoring three goals.

Internationally, Kappelhof represented The Netherlands U21s, making five appearances from 2011-2013. While with the Dutch U21 squad, he participated in the qualification rounds for the 2011 UEFA European U21 Championships.

"I'm very thankful for this new opportunity in my career," Kappelhof said "I'm proud to be a part of this club and even more excited to fight for this team and to play in front of our fans in Utah."

Player Information

Name: Johan Kappelhof

Pronunciation: YO-han KA-pel-hof

Position: Defender

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 173 pounds

Date of Birth: August 5, 1990

Age: 31

Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Hometown: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Citizenship: The Netherlands

Last Club: Chicago Fire FC

How Acquired: Signed as a Free Agent on February 18, 2022.

As of February 18, Real Salt Lake's current roster headed into the 2022 MLS season - listed alphabetically by position - is as follows:

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

Defenders (10): Andrew Brody, Zack Farnsworth, Justen Glad, Bret Halsey, Aaron Herrera, Erik Holt, Johan Kappelhof, Jaziel Orozco, Marcelo Silva, Tate Schmitt

Midfielders (8): Julio Benitez, Nick Besler, Scott Caldwell, Maikel Chang, Damir Kreilach, Everton Luiz, Pablo Ruiz, Jude Wellings

Forwards (8): Sergio Cordova, Bode Davis, Chris Garcia, Axel Kei, Jonathan Menendez, Justin Meram, Rubio Rubin, Bobby Wood

Real Salt Lake finished the 2021 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 open the 2022 season on the road against Houston Dynamo FC on Sunday, February 27 before returning to Rio Tinto Stadium for the home opener against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, March 5.

TRANSACTION: Real Salt Lake sign DF Johan Kappelhof as a free agent on February 18, 2022.

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