HERRIMAN, Utah (Wednesday, December 14, 2022) – Real Monarchs have announced the signing of Real Salt Lake Academy forward and Eagle Mountain, Utah-native Zavier Gozo to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract, pending league approval.
“Since joining our Academy Zavier has proven to be an all-around athletic talent with an exceptional eye for goal and an insatiable hunger to succeed,” said Assistant General Manager Tony Beltran. “As he takes this first step in his professional career, we look forward to supporting his continued development with the Real Monarchs.”
Gozo 15, is the latest in a long line of RSL Academy products to join the Real Monarchs ranks. The Utah-born forward also joins Andrew Brody, Julio Benitez, Fernando Delgado, Luis Rivera, Jaziel Orozco and Terron Williams.
The young forward first joined the Real Salt Lake organization as a member of the Academy in the fall of 2021. In his first season with the RSL Academy Gozo established himself as a prolific goal scorer, leading the team with 16 goals in the regular season, while scoring multiple goals at both the Generation Adidas Cup and MLS NEXT Cup tournaments. Gozo’s eye for goal led the U-15 RSL Academy team to its second-consecutive MLS NEXT Cup Final, and despite not winning the championship, he was awarded the tournament’s Golden Boot Award in recognition of his five goals, the most by a single individual at the U-15 level.
In his second season in the RSL Academy Gozo was elevated to the U-17 squad, once again leading the way, netting 10 goals in 10 games while also contributing one assist. Gozo’s 10 goals account for nearly half of the team’s goals this season. The Claret-and-Cobalt having found the back of the net 23 times, RSL Homegrown Jude Wellings has the second-highest goal contributions with four goals and one assist.
His performances with the Claret-and-Cobalt have earned Gozo numerous roster invitations to both the U-15 and U-16 United States Youth National Team. Most recently he was selected to travel with the Red, White and Blue for a U-16 tournament in Spain, during which he scored a goal against Wales and netted the game winner in the final match against England.
Real Monarchs are in preparation for their second season in MLS NEXT Pro, having finished the 2022 season with a five-match undefeated streak in league play and an eight-match home unbeaten streak across all competitions. The Club’s move to MLS NEXT Pro 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 forward Zavier Gozo to an MLS NEXT Pro professional contract on December 14, 2022
Player Information
Name: Zavier Gozo
Position: Forward
Height: 5’7
Date of Birth: March 22, 2007
Age: 15
Hometown: Eagle Mountain, Utah
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: Real Salt Lake Academy
How Acquired: Signed on December 14 2022
Real Monarchs current roster as of 12/14/22
Goalkeepers: Fernando Delgado
Defenders: Bobby Pierre, Omar Alba, Gennaro Nigro, Luis Rivera
Midfielders: Tyrone Mondi, Christian Nydegger
Forwards: Zavier Gozo, Benjamin Rodriguez, Terron Williams
