El Paso Locomotive standout Diego Luna transfers to Real Salt Lake of MLS

Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times
·2 min read
Former Locomotive FC midfielder Diego Luna has been moved up to the MLS to play for Real Salt Lake.
Former Locomotive FC midfielder Diego Luna has been moved up to the MLS to play for Real Salt Lake.

Diego Luna, one of the top young soccer players in the United States and a top player for the El Paso Locomotive in the USL, has been acquired by Real Salt Lake of the MLS.

Multiple news reports have stated that El Paso will receive a $250,000 transfer fee for Luna, which would be a record fee in a USL-MLS deal. El Paso team officials would not comment on the amount of the transfer fee, citing team policy.

Luna, 18, scored 13 goals and had nine assists in 43 appearances for the Locomotive. Luna has plenty of international experience with the United States' U-20 team and he's also eligible for the Mexican national squad. Real Salt Lake is currently 7-3-4 with 25 points and competes in the Western Conference.

"We're happy and excited but mostly excited for Diego," El Paso Locomotive FC General Manager Andrew Forrest. "He's earned this opportunity and deserves this opportunity to go to the next level. These things take time. He has had a successful year, the time was right for us as a club, for him as a player."

Last year, El Paso keeper Logan Ketterer made the most of his MLS opportunity, the three-game loan to the Portland Timbers. Ketterer received his chance because Portland had three injuries to keepers and the Timbers were able to use an emergency hardship roster clause to get him on a short-term loan.

"To a man on this team, everyone is happy for Diego and this opportunity," Forrest said. "He's been on the radar of MLS teams and teams from Europe. This is another chapter in our book to this point, in season four. We've done a lot of things in lot of different aspects. To be able to tell this story to players around the country, the world that you can come here at 17, work hard to get on the field, to play well and what opportunities can be afforded to you. The USL championship continues to grow as an international league."

More: El Paso Locomotive impressive in 5-0 win

Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Locomotive standout Diego Luna transfers to Real Salt Lake