Real Salt Lake: Paulo Jr. will be back with RSL in 2011

The player who made Robbie Findley expendable will be back with Real Salt Lake in 2011.

RSL reached an agreement with Miami FC of the USSF D-2 Pro League to extend the loan of Brazilian forward Paulo Jr. through the end of the 2011 season — with an option to purchase the contract through 2014.

Paulo Jr. spent the final two months of the 2010 season on loan with RSL, and he impressed, immediately scoring three times in two CONCACAF Champions League appearances. In 22 appearances with Miami before the loan, Paulo Jr. scored eight goals and notched four assists.

"We expect that after a full preseason with the team, Paulo will be able to grow and develop, and we hope he is able to take a big step forward in helping RSL as we try to win the CONCACAF Champions League and MLS Cup in 2011," said RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey.

Paulo Jr., 21, will occupy one of six international roster slots. His signing solidifies Real Salt Lake's front line despite the departure of Findley, who declined to sign a new contract with the club at the end of the season.

Earlier this month, RSL purchased the contract of Alvaro Saborio from his club in Switzerland. The Costa Rican native led the club in scoring in 2010. The team also added another attacking piece to the puzzle by acquiring Alvaro Alvarez in a trade with Portland on the day of the expansion draft.

e-mail: jedward@desnew.com