Real Salt Lake is adding to the attack as the summer transfer window nears a closure.
The day before the summer deadline when all paperwork must be filed by Major League Soccer, RSL announced the addition of Chicago Fire striker Jason Shokalook on a permanent transfer and brought home former RSL Academy product and Utah native Tayor Booth on loan from Dutch Eredivisie side FC Twente.
The two are different transactions, but related in staying with the ethos of the club. First, there’s Shokalook.
The 23-year-old forward scored 20 goals in 22 appearances with Chicago Fire II a year ago to earn MLS NEXT Pro golden-boot honors prior to earning a first-team contract with the Fire for the 2026 campaign, with club options for 2027 and 2028.
The former 2024 MLS Superdraft pick out of Akron had one assist in nine appearances off the bench for Chicago. But he found himself stuck behind league-leading scorer Hugo Cuypers before his move to Liga MX side Monterrey.
Then, Shokalook’s minutes declined even further when the Fire brought in 38-year-old Polish star Robert Lewandowski on a Designated Player contract.
A young striker with a knack for scoring looking to find minutes and jump start his career? Shokalook certainly fits the profile of Real Salt Lake, at a price of up to $200,000 in general allocation money with an additional $50,000 in GAM earmarked if Shokalook meets certain performance incentives.
“It’s a position where I think we need reinforcements,” RSL manager Pablo Mastroeni said of the striker with a similar build as rookie standout Sergi Solans. “Serg is playing the longest season of his career, and the last two games he’s played 90. We want to make sure we have enough reinforcements to really attack the last 12-13 games the right way.
“Jason’s a young player who has a lot of upside, but he also has the right mentality and profile of the striker,” Mastroeni added. “His off-ball movements are really good; he’s a true No. 9, not a hybrid … and he’s a player who I think has a high ceiling.”
Now Shokalook, who was on the ground training as early as Tuesday with Real Salt Lake, will look to find a role on the Wasatch Front — and alongside another addition who is familiar to the state.
Taylor Booth is returning to Utah after eight years abroad where the Eden, Utah native played for Bayern Munich’s first and second team, St. Polten and FC Twente since August 2021.
But in the Netherlands, Both, who signed a 3 1/2-year contract in Feb. 2025, has been held scoreless in 18 appearances — as Twente brought in fellow winger Filip Thorvaldsen from Valerenga, the most expensive signing in the club’s history.
Can Booth follow a similar path as his younger brother Zach, who returned home for playing time and excelled in a move to right wing back after the departure of fellow homegrown Zavier Gozo before the latter’s record-breaking move to Crystal Palace in the Premier League?
The elder Booth will have the remainder of the 2026 MLS campaign, as well as the 2027 “sprint” season next spring, to show what he can on his loan — which also includes a club option to buy.
Real Salt Lake may not be done making moves, either.
Club executive Jason Kreis recently told ESPN 700 radio that RSL was targeting at least three transfers before the close of the current window — two domestic, or that didn’t require a visa, and another international player.
That third player could still find his way on to the roster in the coming days, sources confirmed to Salt City Soccer.
Traffic may be outgoing, as well.
During a recent training, RSL forward Victor Olatunji was seen training by himself with a club staff member, apart from his teammates. Not currently injured but occasionally lacking for playing time, Mastroeni told reporters that the 26-year-old Nigerian international was in the midst of “some opportunities that are available to him."
“We want to make sure we do right by both parties, and make sure we don’t close any doors,” he added.
So while the transfer window is officially closed, don’t be surprised to see more movement in the Utah capitol.
