Defender Chris Kablan (kuh – BLAHN) joins Real Salt Lake on a short-term loan agreement from Waasland-Beveren in Belgium, further deepening the relationship between RSL and majority owner David Blitzer’s six-club European football interests. This Kablan move follows FC Augsburg loaning FW Sergio Cordova to RSL in February.
Here is everything you need to know about Kablan’s career prior to joining RSL:
- Kablan, 27, was born in Lucerne, Switzerland, on November 30, 1994, son of an Ivorian father and a Swiss mother
- He began his professional career with SC Kriens in the Swiss Promotion League, the third division of football in Switzerland, making his professional debut at 17 years old.
- In four years with Kriens, Kablan recorded 11 goals and five assists in 98 appearances, many coming after Kriens was promoted to the Swiss Challenge League (second division).
- In 2017 Kablan signed with FC Thun in the Swiss Super League, the highest tier of football in Switzerland. He made his debut on July 30, 2017 against FC Zurich.
- After FC Thun was relegated to the Swiss Challenge League, Kablan was transferred the Waasland-Beveren, playing in the Belgian First Division B.
- In just his first year in Belgium he has recorded one goal and one assist in 17 games played.
Fast Facts:
- Kablan is the first-ever Swiss player to join Real Salt Lake, and the first-ever player to join RSL from a Belgian league.
- The defender is one of just three Europeans on the roster, joining team captain Damir Kreilach (Croatia) and defender Jasper Löffelsend (Germany).
- In addition to being a Swiss national, Kablan also holds French citizenship
What he is Saying About RSL:
“My arrival to RSL has been long-anticipated, I’ve heard that everything is well-placed for our success as a locker room and as a Club. The facilities are excellent, the staff is organized, I’m looking forward to getting to know my teammates, our fans and the community-at-large.”
