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SALT LAKE CITY — Real Salt Lake's longtime captain and cultural leader is leaving the team after six seasons in Utah.
Damir Kreilach announced via a letter on RSL's website Wednesday that "after much thinking" he is leaving RSL for "a new challenge," in what he called "the most difficult decision (he's) ever made."
Kreilach departs the club as RSL's third-highest goalscorer of all time with 55 goals. He led the team in goals in three of his six seasons and made the playoffs five times.
"Unfortunately, we are faced with saying a very difficult goodbye to Damir Kreilach, a beloved figure in our club's history who provided nearly unparalleled impact, leadership and service to Real Salt Lake," sporting director Kurt Schmid said in a statement to MLSSoccer.com.
RSL declined Kreilach's team option for 2024 and he was listed on the MLS free agent list, along with Scott Caldwell and Danny Musovski. The club said the announcement of Kreilach's next destination could come as early as Thursday morning.
Forever part of the RSL family. pic.twitter.com/ygQYEevz7j
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 27, 2023
The 34-year-old Croatian joined RSL in 2018 after stints at Croatian side HNK Rijeka and Union Berlin in Germany. He missed most of the 2022 season with a back injury but returned in 2023 to put up four goals and an assist in 15 MLS starts. He was also co-winner of the U.S. Open Cup Golden Boot award with four goals.
"We define the RSL way as leading and inspiring soccer culture in Utah. Or, put another way, be like Damir Kreilach," RSL said in a social media post. "You have inspired all of us. Your legacy on and off the pitch will never be forgotten here in Utah."
Kreilach's most memorable and iconic moment in Claret and Cobalt was his game-tying karate kick goal in the 2018 playoffs against LAFC that earned him the nickname "The Kreilach Kid."
"Even though our paths diverge, I will always be a member of the RSL family," Kreilach said in his letter. "All the best in the future, wishing nothing but success to my RSL next season and beyond."
Declining Kreilach's option for 2024 opens up over $1 million in salary as well as potentially another designated player spot alongside Chicho Arango and Jefferson Savarino.
