Real Salt Lake Exercises Buyout of Midfielder Diogo Gonçalves

The 28-year-old Portuguese player's departure opens up Designated Player and international roster slots for the club.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:31pm

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Real Salt Lake have exercised a guaranteed contract buyout on midfielder Diogo Gonçalves, the club announced on Wednesday. The 28-year-old former Portuguese youth international recorded 6 goals and 5 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions with RSL since joining from Danish side FC Copenhagen in August 2024. His departure opens up Designated Player and international roster slots for the club.

Why it matters

The buyout of Gonçalves' contract gives Real Salt Lake more roster flexibility as they prepare for the 2026 MLS season. Freeing up a Designated Player spot and an international roster slot allows the club to potentially sign new high-profile players or make other roster moves to strengthen the team.

The details

To complete the transaction, RSL utilized one of their two buyouts of a guaranteed contract. Each MLS club has two buyouts per season that they can use to terminate a player's contract. Gonçalves joined RSL in 2024 from Danish club FC Copenhagen.

  • Real Salt Lake announced the buyout on January 29, 2026.
  • Gonçalves joined RSL in August 2024 from FC Copenhagen.

The players

Diogo Gonçalves

A 28-year-old Portuguese midfielder who played for Real Salt Lake from 2024 to 2026.

Real Salt Lake

The professional soccer club based in Salt Lake City, Utah that plays in Major League Soccer.

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What’s next

Real Salt Lake will now have an open Designated Player spot and international roster slot to potentially sign new players ahead of the 2026 MLS season, which begins on February 21 when they travel to face the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The takeaway

The buyout of Diogo Gonçalves' contract gives Real Salt Lake more roster flexibility as they look to strengthen their team for the 2026 MLS season. Freeing up a Designated Player spot and an international roster slot could allow the club to bring in high-profile new signings to improve their squad.