LEHI, Utah – Real Salt Lake have acquired Brazilian forward Paulo Araujo Jr. on a loan agreement from Miami FC of the USSF D-2 for the remainder of the 2010 season, the club announced on Thursday.
The 21-year-old Paulo Jr. joined Miami FC a year ago, and had a successful 2010 season with a team-high eight goals and four assists to go along with his 18 starts. Paulo Jr. also is the joint leading scorer of this year's US Open Cup tournament – his five goals in three games are even with Seattle's Nate Jaqua.
Paulo Jr. is available for selection for RSL's match on Thursday night against those Sounders at Qwest Field. He will occupy the last of Salt Lake's five international slots.
The announcement comes on the heels of a hamstring injury to forward Fabian Espindola, and Wednesday’s recognition by Coach Jason Kreis that the injury may have been at least partially related to “overuse.”
“We are excited to add a forward like Paulo to give us as many options up top as possible as we push through our congested schedule of CONCACAF and League games at the end of our season,” said RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey in a statement.
With a busy schedule of league and international play coming up during the final two months of the season, Paulo Jr.’s arrival could prove to be timely.
