HERRIMAN, Utah (Wednesday, May 4, 2022) – In the latest of roster moves to be announced prior to tonight’s 10:00 p.m. MT Major League Soccer primary transfer window close, Real Salt Lake has signed DF Chris Kablan via loan from Waasland-Beveren (Belgian A2) through the Summer, with options to extend for the remainder of the 2022 and 2023 MLS seasons, the Utah-based Club announced.
Kablan’s signing marks the second player arrival to Real Salt Lake from Owner David Blitzer’s growing football network, following FW Sergio Cordova’s arrival in February from FC Augsburg (German Bundesliga). Blitzer boasts interests in six European soccer entities, including Crystal Palace (England), FC Augsburg (Germany), Estoril (Portugal), ADO Den Haag (Netherlands), Alcorcón (Spain) and Waasland-Beveren (Belgium).
“Bringing Chris to Salt Lake has been discussed for an extended period with both our technical group and the Blitzer football staff,” said Real Salt Lake General Manager Elliot Fall, now in his 15th year with the Club. “We are excited to see how he integrates with the group, his ambition to seize this opportunity, and his potential to provide further depth for our roster. During his time in Belgium, Chris has demonstrated versatility in both a back three and a back four, he can play anywhere across the line, wherever Pablo and the staff might need.”
Kablan, 27, joined Waasland-Beveren prior to the 2021 season, where he has appeared in 16 games across both 3-man and 4-man back lines. Prior to joining Waasland, Kablan began his professional career in his native Switzerland for Kriens, where he notched 11 goals in 98 appearances from 2013 to 2017. From 2017 to 2021, the defender played for FC Thun in both the Swiss Super League and the Swiss Challenge League, making 105 appearances and scoring eight goals.
“My arrival to RSL has been long-anticipated, I’ve heard that everything is well-placed for our success as a locker room and as a Club,” said Kablan in his first 48 hours on the ground, adjusting to altitude. “The facilities are excellent, the staff is organized, I’m looking forward to getting to know my teammates, our fans and the community-at-large.”
Last week, RSL announced the permanent purchase of FW Anderson Julio from Liga MX side Atletico San Luis, while yesterday the Claret-and-Cobalt ascended to the top of the current MLS Allocation Ranking via a pair of transactions with Austin FC and FC Cincinnati in exchange for General Allocation Money (GAM). These trades are null and void should RSL not acquire a player via allocation prior to tonight’s window close.
TRANSACTION: Real Salt Lake sign DF Chris Kablan on loan from Waasland-Beveren on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
#26 – Chris Kablan
Pronunciation: kuh - BLAHN
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 168
Hometown: Lucerne, Switzerland
Date of Birth: 30 November 1994 (27)
Nationality: Swiss
How Acquired: Signed via loan from Waasland-Beveren (Belgium)
As of May 4, 2022, Real Salt Lake’s current roster during the ongoing MLS campaign, listed alphabetically by position, is as follows:
Goalkeepers (4): Gavin Beavers, Jeff Dewsnup, Zac MacMath, David Ochoa
Defenders (11): Andrew Brody, Zack Farnsworth, Justen Glad, Bret Halsey, Aaron Herrera, Erik Holt, Chris Kablan, Johan Kappelhof, Jaziel Orozco, Marcelo Silva, Tate Schmitt
Midfielders (10): Julio Benitez, Nick Besler, Scott Caldwell, Maikel Chang, Bode Davis, Damir Kreilach, Jasper Löffelsend, Everton Luiz, Pablo Ruiz, Jude Wellings
Forwards (8): Sergio Cordova, Chris Garcia, Anderson Julio, Axel Kei, Jonathan Menendez, Justin Meram, Rubio Rubin, Bobby Wood
Through the first 10 games of the 2022 MLS campaign, Real Salt Lake (4-2-4, 16 pts, t-3rdWest) played six of its first nine away, with seven games against 2021 MLS Cup opponents. For the first time in Club history, RSL opened the year with four consecutive sellouts at Rio Tinto Stadium, while Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni has utilized 24 players throughout the injury-filled first quarter of the year, as the Club has lost nearly 70 combined games due to injury, suspension or international duty.
Real Salt Lake finished last season in dramatic fashion, booking its place in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs on Decision Day before making a run to the Western Conference Final following a 14-14-6 regular-season record. RSL will return home next Saturday, May 14, hosting Austin FC to open a stretch that sees five of eight matches played on the Wasatch Front.
