Emeki Eneli signs multi-year extension to stay with Real Salt Lake

On Thursday, Eneli’s patience paid off when the club announced a multi-year extension to remain with Real Salt Lake through the 2029 season.

Emeka Eneli doesn’t consider himself a “late bloomer,” but in the eyes of the soccer world, his 24-year-old stature in his second season in MLS is outside the usual time frame of homegrown players and academy products.

At one point, Eneli watched as plenty of friends, teammates and former youth rivals signed professional contracts — all while the two-time All-Ivy League forward and second-team All-American at Cornell worked toward his degree and an eventual spot on a professional roster.

“One time when I was at Cornell, my assistant coach told me something that really stuck with me. He thought that I could always go pro, even in my freshman, sophomore, junior year; he said I had what it takes to make it as a professional. But it was just about mindset,” Eneli said.

“He knew I was going to see a bunch of other people — my friends with the academy — that are going pro,” he added. “But it was all about finding the right path for me. Don’t get discouraged when they make their own pathway. And that really stuck with me; I always felt like I had to do what was best for me, and doing that has led me to where I’m at today.”

On Thursday, Eneli’s patience paid off when the club announced a multi-year extension to remain with Real Salt Lake. Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, the No. 25 overall pick of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft will be under a guaranteed contract through the 2028 season, with a club option for 2029.

Through just under two years, 45 matches and 36 starts (3,263 minutes), the 5-foot-9 midfielder has proven himself to be a backbone of Real Salt Lake’s spine. A veteran of multiple positions in college and youth soccer, Emeli took to RSL’s double-pivot midfield under manager Pablo Mastroeni like a craftsman while scoring a goal with three assists and completing 91.8% of his passes in 2024.

““Emeka’s rise during the last 18 months has been impressive, and his quick understanding of our game model has made him a reliable member of our core,” RSL chief soccer officer Kurt Schmid said in a statement. “His presence in our locker room and around the facility makes it obvious he is an incredible person and player. We made it a priority to agree a new deal, rewarding him for the growth he’s displayed over his first two seasons, and ensuring he will be here long-term. Everyone inside and outside the Club should be excited about his roles with us on and off the field.”

In June, he became the youngest player in the club’s 20-year history to don the captain’s armband, a sign of respect from his coaches and teammates.

"It has been great to see Emeka grow in confidence over the course of the last 18 months since joining RSL, and to see him wearing the armband was an unforgettable moment,” said Cornell coach John Smith, who watched the multi-tooled player register 20 goals and 17 assists in his time in Ithaca, New York. “Above all else, it was Emeka's work ethic, humility and sheer likability that made him a perfect captain here at Cornell. I am sure those qualities are still standing him in great stead today.”

Eneli, who was born in Lansing, Michigan of dual American-Nigerian descent before growing up in Dublin, Ohio before attending college in central New York, said he worked through the last 1-2 months on the extension with RSL’s front office and his representation, obviously taking advantage of the month-long Leagues Cup break (made longer by the club’s elimination in the group stage) to get the deal over the line.

“The club was very transparent with the negotiations, and very fair with it, as well,” he said. “I’m very grateful for that.

“I’m very grateful, obviously; best value is something to hear. But I’ve always just tried to put my head down and work. Hopefully if I do that, then the financial stuff will come along.”