Former Portuguese Designated Player Departs Club
HERRIMAN, Utah (Wednesday, January 28, 2026) - Real Salt Lake announced that the Club has exercised a Buyout of a Guaranteed Contract on Designated Player and MF Diogo Gonçalves, who will no longer occupy Senior / international / DP roster spots, while his previous wages will not count against the Club’s 2026 salary budget.
Arriving in Utah in August, 2024, from FC Copenhagen, Diogo appeared in 46 games during the last two seasons, scoring six goals and adding five assists across all competitions during that span. Each of his last two goals in 2025 were game-winners against Colorado and Portland, while his early goal in a 2-1 road win last March at Houston just 47 seconds into the match was RSL's third-fastest score in 21 seasons of Major League Soccer action.
For more information on a Buyout of a Guaranteed Contract, click here.
TRANSACTION: Real Salt Lake exercises buyout option of Portuguese MF Diogo Gonçalves' 2026 Guaranteed Contract on January 28, 2026.
Real Salt Lake players, coaches and staff completed its first week in Lagos, Portugal, in the Algarve region, with Monday’s 2-1 victory over Danish SuperLiga side Brøndby IF. Goals from an unnamed trialist and third-year wingback Alex Katranis in the 10th and 82nd minutes highlighted a comprehensive performance that saw 22 players see action. Late last week, RSL also won 2-1 over another Danish SuperLiga club, Randers, with Dominik Marczuk and Tyler Wolff finding the back of the net.
RSL will now conclude its Iberian peninsula experience against fellow MLS Western Conference foe FC Dallas this Friday, Jan. 30, in a match that could potentially feature newcomer Stijn Spierings, a veteran Dutch midfielder, as well as Nigerian striker Victor Olatunji, before completing its 24-hour door-to-door travels, returning to Utah late on Sun., Feb. 1.
After spending the first week of February back in Utah, the Claret-and-Cobalt then wrap up its 22nd preseason slate with two games in Southern California, facing off against newly-transferred DF Kobi Henry’s former USL Championship side, Orange County SC (Sat., Feb. 7), as well as MLS Cup 2024 champions LA Galaxy (Fri., Feb. 13), the latter match being played outside of Palm Springs, Calif.
RSL then kicks off its 2026 Major League Soccer campaign on Sat., Feb. 21 at B.C. Place, home of the reigning Western Conference champion, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, one week prior to the Claret-and-Cobalt’s 2026 home opener at America First Field against long-time rival Seattle Sounders FC on Sat., Feb. 28. Both of RSL’s February games kick off at 5:30p MT, with season ticket and four-game packages NOW AVAILABLE at www.RSL.com/tickets.
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