Real Salt Lake unveiled the club’s latest Designated Player on Monday, with Juan Manuel Martinez meeting the media for the first time since arriving in Utah on Friday. The 29-year-old Argentine forward was a hit with local media as he talked about his decision to leave Boca Juniors and come to Major League Soccer to ply his trade at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Here is a look at some of the coverage of Martinez’s arrival.
Salt Lake Tribune: ‘Burrito’ Martinez said decision to come to RSL ‘was easy for me’
"I like the country, the city, the way you live here," he said. "The league is growing up very fast and I want to play here. This was easy for me to take the decision."
It just took longer than expected.
…
On paper, Martinez could follow in the line of the shrewd signings RSL's made in the past decade. He's already endearing himself to the fan base with lines like this:
"I don't know New York or L.A.," he said, "but I prefer a small city."
Deseret News: RSL newcomer Juan Manuel Martinez excited for move to MLS, SLC
Real Salt Lake (technical director) Craig Waibel said the club did its homework on Martinez, and truly believes he’s a high-class individual who will fit into the club.
“I won’t waver on what I believe fits in our locker room … and I won’t waver on quality individuals. I’m not going to claim we’re going to be 100 percent and get every single player right, but we’re going to do our homework on every single guy, and if we make a mistake it’s not going to be a blind one, it’s going to be an honest one,” said Waibel.
The timing and location all lined up perfectly for Martinez, who met with local media on Monday morning at Rio Tinto Stadium for the first time since signing a Designated Player contract earlier this month.
“After I ended my contract with Boca, I was a little anxious,” Martinez said at his unveiling. “But I had many options. I’m happy with this decision because I always wanted to play here in this country, in this league and I didn’t know in what year, in this moment or before, but I’m happy to be here.
“The league is growing up very fast, and I want to play here. It was an easy decision to make.”
