SANDY, Utah (Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012) – Real Salt Lake announced on Tuesday that the club signed 20-year-old Portuguese-French midfielder David Viana on Friday on a free transfer. Per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Viana will be added to RSL’s roster pending the receipt of his work visa – which he will need to travel to Europe in order to obtain – and his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Due to the timing of these procedures, an estimated eligibility date is not yet known.
"I'm very excited to join Real Salt Lake," Viana said. "It's a great opportunity and I feel really good about getting to work with these coaches and players."
Primarily an attacking midfielder, Viana began a trial with RSL last Monday. He started and played 80 minutes in the Claret-and-Cobalt’s 1-0 Reserve League win at Sporting Kansas City last Tuesday before signing with the team prior to Friday’s roster freeze deadline.
“We’re excited to add a talented young player like David to the team,” said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey. “We believe he'll be a valuable addition to our roster long-term and think he can give us another attacking option.”
Viana comes to RSL after spending nearly a year with Atletico Madrid C, the La Liga club’s second reserve team. The 5-foot-8 player impressed while in the Spanish capital, regularly getting called up to train with the first team and earning a contract offer to return to the Europa League champions earlier this summer.
The former Portuguese U-17, U-18 and U-19 national teamer was a part of French club RC Strasbourg’s youth setup before transferring to Atletico after Strasbourg was relegated from Ligue 1 following the 2010-2011 season.
Player info:
Name: David Viana
Position: Midfielder
Nationality: Portuguese, French
Birthday: January 22, 1992 (Age 20)
Previous club: Atletico Madrid
Height: 5’ 8”
Acquired: Signed on a free transfer on Sept. 14, 2011
