SANDY, Utah (Tuesday, July 2, 2024) – Real Salt Lake has permanently transferred young attacking talent Fidel Barajas to legendary Liga MX side Chivas de Guadalajara, effective immediately. The Sacramento-born,18-year-old Barajas was acquired by RSL in early January from the Charleston Battery (USL Championship). Barajas, previously an active member of Mexico’s U-17 and U-20 setups, appeared in 17 of 20 league games and one U.S. Open Cup match for RSL this year, scoring one goal and adding two assists in 556 total minutes.
“We wish nothing but the best to Fidel, he’s grown a lot with us on and off the field during his six months here,” said RSL Chief Soccer Officer Kurt Schmid. “It is difficult to let young prospects go, but the global market offers clubs and individuals numerous opportunities for change and growth. Fidel represented both himself and RSL as a model young professional each and every day here, and we believe we have provided him a foundation as he adapts to both Liga MX and his youth national team career.”
On the global stage, Barajas has featured for the Mexican U-17 and U-20 national teams in 25+ matches the last two years,
“I am very excited to get started with Chivas,” said Fidel on Monday, following his arrival in Guadalajara. “Being from Mexico I have grown up dreaming of playing for such an incredible club and promise to work hard every day to make the fans proud.”
“Even though my time in Salt Lake was short, it helped mold me to the player I am today and together we have created memories I will never forget. I have so many people to thank but first, thank you RSL for your support, believing in me and make me feel part of your family from my first day arriving. Thanks to my teammates and I especially want to thank the fans that packed the Riot every home game. Your unwavering support helped me to keep pushing whether we were winning or losing. I will always be rooting for RSL and can’t wait to see you all soon.”
Barajas’ MLS move this year arrives on the heels of his historic and breakout 2023 campaign, where the then-17-year-old professional was named the USL Championship’s Young Player of the Year, while also compiling All-League Second Team honors and being featured as one of
Barajas’ banner 2023 season included his spot atop the USL Championship as the USL-C playmaking leader across both the regular season and playoffs, recording 11 assists en route to the Battery’s Eastern Conference title. The rising
All told, Barajas’ 18-month Battery tenure was composed of five goals and 13 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions during the last two seasons, after making his professional debut Oct. 1, 2022, when he tallied an assist within minutes of entering his debut match.
