SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake acquired the rights to FW Robbie Findley on Wednesday, sending allocation money to the Portland Timbers in exchange for the speedy striker.
Findley has signed a contract with MLS and will report to Rio Tinto Stadium for the start of RSL’s preseason camp this Saturday. He will be added to RSL’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
The 27-year-old Findley played for RSL from mid-2007 through 2010, when he left the Claret-and-Cobalt to join English Championship side Nottingham Forest. Portland selected the speedy forward in the expansion draft in November 2010, thereby acquiring his rights and forcing RSL to trade for them in order to bring him back to Salt Lake.
“RSL has played a huge role in my career and I’m very excited to be back in Utah,” Findley said. “RSL is a team that is consistently at the top of the table and always has plenty of talent. Jason Kreis and the coaching staff are very dedicated and know what it takes to be successful. I’m very ready to get back into Rio Tinto Stadium and enjoy the phenomenal atmosphere that our supporters bring to every game.”
Findley is third in Real Salt Lake history with 29 goals and fifth in team history with 13 assists in 96 regular season matches. The Oregon State University product was a key part of the 2009 MLS Cup winning team, notching a career-high 12 goals to lead RSL and adding four assists in 27 appearances.
It was Findley’s second half equalizer at MLS Cup in Seattle in November 2009 that allowed RSL to force extra time and ultimately win a penalty-kick shootout over the LA Galaxy to take home the club’s biggest trophy to date.
Findley spent 2010 playing alongside RSL star striker Alvaro Saborio, scoring five goals and registering four assists despite missing nearly two months of the season while with the U.S. National Team at the FIFA World Cup. The Arizona native made three appearances at the World Cup in South Africa and has 11 total international caps.
“We’re very pleased to bring Robbie back to Salt Lake,” Real Salt Lake GM Garth Lagerwey said. “He’s a talented player and was nothing but a class individual during his first stint here. We feel like his speed will add a dimension to our attack that’s been missing since his departure and we’re excited to see him back out on the field at Rio Tinto Stadium.”
Player: Robbie Findley
Position: Forward
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 165 lbs.
Date of Birth: Aug. 4, 1985
Birthplace: Phoenix, Ariz.
Citizenship: U.S.
How acquired: Rights acquired via trade with Portland Timbers on Jan. 16, 2013 in exchange for allocation money.
