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SANDY — If you thought Real Salt Lake was finished adding talent to the 2018 roster, think again.
The club announced Friday afternoon that former English Premier League center back Nedum Onuoha has signed with the club before the 2018 roster freeze date.
“Nedum will add tremendous experience and leadership to our group,” RSL general manager Craig Waibel said in a team release. “The expectation is that he will come over, regain full fitness and contribute as we enter the stretch run and into next year.”
Onuoha’s contract will take him through the 2019 season, with an option to re-sign for 2020, a source told KSL Sports.
The 31-year-old defender was born in Warri, Nigeria, but raised in Manchester, England and grew up in the Manchester City youth system. He debuted for City in 2004 at 17 years old, and went on to a career at Sunderland and Queen Park Rangers, where he scored seven goals in 207 appearances from 2012-18.
In Real Salt Lake, Onuoha slots in at center back behind current starters Justen Glad, the 21-year-old academy product, and 29-year-old Uruguayan Marcelo Silva.
“They knew what I had, and I think they look at the overall club, team and squad, and felt that I could definitely add something to that,” Onuoha said. “They were saying things that I have done before, and how it suits the vision for the football club.
“For me, it was perfect.”
With 44 points and tied for fourth in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference, Real Salt Lake (13-10-5) hosts Minnesota United FC at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.
After Saturday’s nightcap, three of the club’s final five matches are on the road, including a home-and-home swing with West rival Portland Timbers FC.
