RSL brings back four players

Thu, 02/09/2012 - 9:39pm

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SANDY -- Real Salt Lake Thursday officially announced the return of four players -- MF Yordany Alvarez, FW Fabian EspÃndola, MF Ned Grabavoy and FW Paulo Jr. -- ahead of the squad's 2012 Major League Soccer campaign.

Financial terms for the deals will not be disclosed.

"This offseason was perhaps the most challenging in recent years when it came to keeping together the core and identity of Real Salt Lake," said RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey. "While we could not help but lose some valuable contributors, in Fabian EspÃndola and Ned Grabavoy we return two players that not only combined for more than 100 starts over the last three seasons, but provide qualities on the field and in the locker room that can't be measured. With the long-term additions of Yordany Alvarez and Paulo Jr., we lock down two starting-caliber players to provide cover at key positions, depth that will be sorely needed to compete at a high level in every competition we enter."

RSL accomplished one of its main offseason objectives by agreeing to a new four-year contract with EspÃndola. The club retained the services of the 26-year-old Espindola after his breakout 2011 season, during which the Argentine striker notched MLS career highs in goals (10), assists (3), games played (27), games started (25), shots (62) and shots on goal (31).

The new contract for Grabavoy is a three-year deal that will keep the influential midfielder in Claret-and-Cobalt through the 2014 season. Since joining Real Salt Lake just prior to its 2009 campaign, the 28-year-old Grabavoy has started 47 of his 68 regular season appearances, scoring three goals and adding three assists.

The new three-year contract for Alvarez comes after Real Salt Lake exercised a purchase option following the expiration of his loan agreement from Orlando City S.C. of the USL PRO League.

Real Salt Lake will also retain the services of Paulo Jr. for the next three seasons after purchasing his rights from USL PRO side Miami FC, from where RSL originally brought him over via a loan deal back in September of 2010.