Real salt Lake Secures striker Rwan Cruz on Loan from Botafogo
Real Salt lake has officially announced the acquisition of 24-year-old Brazilian striker Rwan Cruz from Botafogo. The deal,finalized on august 1,2025,brings Cruz to Utah on an 18-month loan agreement,with Real Salt Lake holding an option to purchase the player permanently. Cruz will occupy one of the team’s designated player slots.
This move addresses Real Salt lake’s ongoing need for offensive reinforcement. Despite a recent enhancement in form, with only one loss in their last six July matches, the team currently ranks 25th in the league for goals scored. Cruz’s arrival follows the recent addition of 20-year-old U.S. Youth National Team forward Marcos Zambrano, acquired just a day prior.Cruz expressed his enthusiasm for joining Real Salt Lake, stating, “I am excited to arrive in Utah and I look forward to integrating with the family here at the club.” He added, “Everything happens for a reason and I believe it is of great significance at the right time for me to be in Utah. I am very happy.” He also noted his positive impression of the team’s playing style, commenting, “I have been watching the RSL games and I think we play very well as a team. We have a playing style with short passing combinations that I enjoy very much, and I believe this is an excellent fit for me.”
The 6-foot-2 forward previously played for Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria, where he scored 24 goals in 18 months before returning to Brazil in Febuary. during his time at Botafogo, Cruz found the back of the net in both the Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil. Botafogo had initially invested $10 million in Cruz’s transfer last winter, while Real Salt Lake’s option to buy is reportedly set at $5 million.
Kurt Schmid, Real Salt Lake’s Chief Soccer Officer, shared his excitement about the signing: “We are elated to welcome Rwan to our Club, and have been working on this move for some time. Rwan’s quality, finishing and attacking flexibility should allow him to bolster our options up top, adding a difference-maker to our core as we pursue a strong finish to the season.”
Cruz will wear the number 12 jersey for Real Salt Lake. Reflecting on the significance of the number,he said,”The fans are our 12th player and we depend a lot on them. The energy that comes from them motivates us; they are meaningful each and every game.I have felt and seen the atmosphere in the stadium for both the San Jose and Club América games, it was influential in our ability to turn these games around. Again, the fans are very important to us and they can expect me to bring competitiveness every moment I am on the pitch, and I am arriving to add to and strengthen the group by scoring many goals and assists.”
