Real Salt Lake: Movsisyan signs deal to play in Denmark

On a visit to Denmark over the weekend, Real Salt Lake striker Yura Movsisyan reached a contract agreement with Randers FC of the Danish First Division. The contract is set to begin on Jan. 1, 2010, the date Movsisyan's contract with Major League Soccer expires.

As of Monday afternoon, RSL general manager Garth Lagerwey couldn't comment on Movsisyan's potential lame-duck status over the next six months. MLS and Randers FC are in discussions regarding an immediate transfer that would send Movsisyan to Europe during the current FIFA summer transfer window.

If a deal isn't reached, Movsisyan will be back in Utah when Real Salt Lake resumes training this Wednesday in preparation for its upcoming exhibition match this Saturday against Club America. He would then finish out the remainder of the season in MLS, despite his impending move to Europe, a potentially awkward situation for all parties involved.

Under that scenario, Movsisyan would depart MLS on a free transfer.

If the parties agree on a transfer, RSL would be compensated financially, which would also open up a roster spot. The club already has two roster vacancies with the recent departure of Luis Miguel Escalada, in addition to Alex Nimo's season-long loan to Portland of the USL.

Assuming Movsisyan's transfer goes through, Real Salt Lake would have plenty of salary cap space to pursue replacements in the coming weeks.

Movsisyan has scored four goals and notched two assists for Real Salt Lake this year. In 2008, he finished with a team-high seven goals in leading the team to its first-ever playoff berth.

On its official Web site, Randers FC is touting the signing as a big acquisition and features a photo of Movsisyan holding up a baby blue Randers FC jersey.

E-mail: jedward@desnews.com