HERRIMAN, Utah (Wednesday, August 3, 2022) – Real Monarchs have announced the signing of U-20 Panama international defender Omar Alba to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract.
“We are thrilled to add a player of Omar’s caliber to the Real Monarchs. Omar had an incredibly strong showing at the U-20 CONCACAF Championship for Panama and we believe he will only continue to grow and develop under our umbrella,” Real Salt Lake Assistant General Manager Tony Beltran said.
Alba, 18, comes to Utah after leading the U-20 Panama Youth National Team to the Quarterfinals of the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Playing mainly as a center back, Alba was featured in every match in Panama’s run, starting in four of his country’s five games. Alba previously played for one of the most storied clubs in the Liga Panameña de Fútbol, the top flight in Panama, CD Plaza Amador. The defender appeared in 46 matches between the club’s first and second division sides across three seasons.
Real Monarchs are currently competing in the newly formed MLS NEXT Pro, with its next home match set for this Friday, August 5 at 6:30 p.m. MT at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah against Whitecaps FC 2. This move comes after seven seasons in the USL Championship, during which the team won the 2019 USL Championship Cup, the 2017 USL Regular Season Shield and the Western Conference Title in both 2017 and 2019, while also qualifying for the postseason in 2018.
Tickets for Real Monarchs can be purchased by calling 844.Real.Tix or visiting www.RSL.com/tickets.
TRANSACTION: Real Monarchs sign defender Omar Alba to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract.
Player Information
Name: Omar Alba
Position: Defender
Height: 6’0"
Date of Birth: March 26, 2004
Age: 18
Birthplace: Panama City, Panama
Hometown: Panama City, Panama
Citizenship: Panama
Last Club: CD Plaza Amador
How Acquired: Signed on August 3, 2022
Real Monarchs current roster as of 08/03/22
Goalkeepers: None
Defenders: Bobby Pierre, Pierre Reedy, Golden Mafwenta, Aziz Kayondo, Omar Alba
Midfielders: Jack Imperato, Leo Torres, Pedro Fonseca, Tyrone Mondi, Christian Nydegger
Forwards: Terron Williams, Yekeson Subah
