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SANDY — One day after crashing in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup, Real Salt Lake signed a new forward.
Here's a hint: it's a "Burrito."
The Salt Lake club announced the signing of former Argentine international Juan Manuel Martinez, a former Boca Juniors standout nicknamed "El Burrito" (Little Donkey) for his resemblance to one-time Argentine star Ariel "El Burrito" Ortega, pending the receipt of his P-1 visa and international transfer certificate.
"Juan is a player with great quality that can add a new dynamic to our attack while fitting in with our style of keeping possession with the ball on the ground," RSL technical director Craig Waibel said in a statement. "A player with his pedigree and background will be a good addition to our locker room and our play on the field."
Martinez scored one goal in four appearances with the Argentine national team in 2011-12, and comes to RSL after two years with famed Argentine club Boca Juniors. RSL acquired the 29-year-old striker as a discovery claim Thursday, inking him to a designated player contract.
To accommodate the contract, RSL also used targeted allocation money to buy down the cost of team captain Kyle Beckerman's previously DP contract. Beckerman was previously making $700,000 in guaranteed compensation, according to the MLS Players' Union. Details of Martinez's contract were not immediately released.
Martinez is a very experienced player. He's played in several high-level situations, and has enjoyed success at each and every stop. We believe he will bring a style of soccer that we want for our club and our fans.
–RSL coach Jeff Cassar
Martinez scored 10 goals in 58 appearances with Boca Juniors in the Argentine Primera Division. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound striker also scored two goals in 18 appearances over one season with Brazilian power Corinthians, including a Club World Cup appearance against Premier League power Chelsea FC, after beginning his professional career with Argentina's Velez Sarsfield.
He was named Argentina's co-footballer of the year in 2010, sharing the award with Barcelona's Lionel Messi after Martinez helped Velez Sarsfield to the Apertura title.
"Martinez is a very experienced player," RSL head coach Jeff Cassar said in a statement. "He's played in several high-level situations, and has enjoyed success at each and every stop. We believe he will bring a style of soccer that we want for our club and our fans."
RSL veteran midfielder Javier Morales has followed Martinez's career through the Argentine league, including at Boca Juniors, and he expressed excitement over his club's newest acquisition.
"He's an excellent player, good with the feet, pretty fast, and a smart guy," Morales told RealSaltLake.com. "I'm very excited he came here to see what he can do for us.
"I'm excited about good players, and he is a good player. It doesn't matter if he comes from Argentina or from China, he's a good player ... and I'm very excited to play with him."
