Real Salt Lake trades for 16-year-old Luis Gil

Real Salt Lake today acquired 16-year-old midfielder Luis Gil from the Kansas City Wizards in exchange for a 2011 second round draft pick, an international roster spot and a portion of future transfer fees if Gil is sold to an foreign club.

Gil signed with Major League Soccer last week, and was awarded to the Wizards on Monday via a weighted lottery.

Rumors are that Gil, who is from Southern California, only wanted to play for Real Salt Lake, Seattle or one of the two Los Angeles-based teams.

Gil was named the 2009 U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year, and was approached by teams such as Arsenal and Real Madrid last summer about signing with them. He opted instead to sign with MLS. Gil played in 18 youth national team games last year scoring four goals and registering four assists.

Brian Gil, the older brother of Luis Gil, was invited to Real Salt Lake training camp in 2005 and 2006 when John Ellinger was the head coach but he never officially earned an RSL roster spot.

It's not known yet when Gil will join Real Salt Lake for training camp. The club is currently in Casa Grande, Ariz., preparing for the upcoming 2010 season.

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com