Real Salt Lake makes bold MLS move with unexpected veteran signing | OneFootball

Real Salt Lake made a savvy signing in welcoming forward Johnny Russell, the previous Sporting Kansas City legend, formally to the side. The veteran Scottish striker with 35 years of age brings his skills on board as a free agent in order to deepen the side into the end of the 2025 MLS season. The deal brings RSL not only seasoned attacking presence but one who brings nearly 600 professional matches onto his career in England, Scotland, and America.

Russell wore Sporting KC's jersey for seven years, between 2018 and 2024, and built a respectful legacy in the club. He scored 67 goals across all competitions, becoming the club's third-highest scorer. Besides the numbers, he was captain and had twice been named the team's MVP, in 2020 and 2022.

A key signing to strengthen the team

The acquisition of Johnny Russell by Real Salt Lake comes at the right time. The team had already been adding to its attack, recently bringing aboard William Agada, yet another product of Sporting Kansas City. Now, by taking a risk on Russell, RSL seems to be bringing much-needed experience to a roster that, in the forward's own words, is "young and exciting.".

In his initial public comment as a new RSL recruit, Russell stated, "I'm really excited about the chance to be here; it's a young dynamic team that is heading in a great way and I'm fortunate to be here." He then added, "Once more, I'm really looking forward to getting on the job and I'm eager to get onto the pitch."

His words seem to show that his concern is to contribute to the group's development, with a positive attitude and, of course, the depth of experience that comes from having seen nearly everything on the field.

Real Salt Lake director of soccer Kurt Schmid noted the importance of the signing. "We're thrilled to add a seasoned MLS veteran to our roster," said Schmid. He further added, "Johnny has done just about everything on and off the field during his record-breaking career in the U.S. and the U.K., and we believe he's a wonderful leader with an excellent work ethic and skill set."

A central role, without the expectation of being the star

With all the experience, it's clear that Johnny Russell comes to Real Salt Lake as yet another central piece of the puzzle, not the single leader or focus of the team. At age 35, his role is more a case of contributing to the team, providing attacking opportunities, and serving as a role model for younger players in those critical moments.

With a tough and lengthy season to come, having a player who understands the nuances of MLS can prove crucial in close games, where guile and fast thinking tend to decide the game. But it is not so much about saddling all that burden on the Scotsman. Rather, it is about extracting the best from what he can offer, without undue pressure.