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SALT LAKE CITY — The MLS summer transfer window doesn't open until July 5, but that hasn't stopped Real Salt Lake from getting an ambitious head start in player acquisitions.
The club followed up the bombshell signing of star striker Chicho Arango on June 7 with reports of another Colombian joining the squad; this time in the midfield.
MLS insider Tom Bogert initially reported the transfer of 22-year-old Nelson Palacio from Medellin's Atletico Nacional on June 18, and Colombian reporter Pipe Sierra reported Palacio arrived in Utah on Monday to finalize the deal.
RSL is spending a reported $2 million on Palacio's transfer, and the central midfielder will reportedly sign a four-year contract as part of MLS U-22 Initiative. He joins a midfield featuring Pablo Ruiz, Jasper Loffelsend and Braian Ojeda. Ojeda's loan from Nottingham Forest is set to expire during the summer transfer window, but sources close to the team said a permanent deal is in the works to keep the Paraguayan in Utah.
Palacio appeared in 69 games for Atletico Nacional since joining the top-flight Colombian squad in 2020. He helped them win the Apertura championship in 2022.
The last four players signed by RSL have all hailed from Colombia, beginning with Andres Gomez and Brayan Vera in the winter, and now Arango and Palacio joining this summer.
RSL already confirmed that Arango's debut will occur on July 8 against Orlando at America First Field, and Palacio could also make his first appearance that night if reports of his early arrival in Utah are true.
Arango was introduced to the AFF crowd on June 10, where he signed autographs for fans before the last home game against Minnesota.
Amazing turnout at yesterdays autograph signing with Chicho Arango. Can't wait for him to take the pitch on July 8th vs Orlando City SC. #RSLpic.twitter.com/5EyKNAwU46
— Delmy Barillas (@DelmyBarillas) June 25, 2023
Even with all of the early action ahead of the summer transfer window, RSL might have another signing up its sleeve later in July. A source close to the team reported the team is currently looking to sign another center back to reinforce the back line of Vera, Justen Glad and Marcelo Silva.
Glad leads the team in minutes played by a wide margin, and Vera and Silva have already dealt with their share of injuries in a busy first half of the season.
The second half of the schedule doesn't get any lighter for RSL, with the Leagues Cup tournament between MLS and Liga MX beginning July 22 and the semifinals for the Open Cup on Aug. 23. If RSL defeats Houston in the semifinals, it could set up a blockbuster final against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at AFF on Sept. 27.
MLS play continues for RSL on the road this week in Toronto, before returning home for Arango's debut on Saturday, July 8. RSL finds itself in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race: 5 points behind first-place St. Louis and 5 points ahead of 10th-place Portland.
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Caleb Turner
