Real Salt Lake trades MF Jasper Löffelsend to Colorado for international spot, allocation money
Real Salt Lake trades MF Jasper Löffelsend to Colorado for international spot, allocation money
Real Salt Lake will also receive Colorado's natural second-round pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft later this year with the former No. 81 overall selection out of PItt headed out.
With one RSL SuperDraft pick added to the club under contract, another departs.
Real Salt Lake traded midfielder Jasper Löffelsend to the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, sending the former No. 81 overall pick two years removed from Pitt to the other side of the Rocky Mountains in exchange for a 2024 international spot and up to $100,000 in general allocation money, as well as Colorado’s natural second-round pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft.
The native of Köln, Germany played 51 games across all competitions for Real Salt Lake, with two goals and seven assists in his deep-lying midfield role, with 34 starts.
“We wish nothing but the best to Jasper, who has provided several highlights for us in his two seasons in Utah,” said RSL sporting director Kurt Schmid. “We will no doubt miss his presence, work rate, and professionalism around our facility, and hope he finds plenty of success in Colorado.”
Löffelsend,, 26, sparked a run of five-straight SuperDraft picks that signed with the club in three years, including forward Ilijah Paul (2023), forward Bertin Jacquesson (2023), defender/midfielder Emeka Eneli (2023) and recently signed defender Kevin Bonilla (2024).
The trade likely portends more moves by the organization, and one of them may involve another USL star heading to MLS.
The Athletic reported Wednesday afternoon that Real Salt Lake is close to a deal with the Charleston Battery for Mexico youth international Fidel Barajas.
The transfer fee would be “in the region of $250,000,” according to Tom Bogert and Jeff Reuter, who add that Charleston will retain a sell-on percentage on any future transfer.
Barajas represented Mexico at the U-17 World Cup after previously playing for the United States. The 17-year-old midfielder is considered a rising star at the lower levels, earning 2023 USL Championship young player of the year and all-league second-team honors after scoring five goals with 11 assists in 32 appearances last season.
RSL opens the 2024 preseason Monday with training camp beginning at Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman.