Real Salt Lake announced on September 3, 2026, that it has traded midfielder Pablo Ruiz to fellow MLS Western Conference side LA Galaxy. The trade, which was finalized before the conclusion of the summer transfer window, was completed in exchange for $400,000 in 2027 General Allocation Money (GAM).
The 27-year-old Argentine midfielder departs Utah after spending eight years with the club. Ruiz arrived at Real Salt Lake in 2018 from San Luis de Quillota in Chile. During his tenure, he appeared in 161 matches across all competitions, ranking second among active players on the roster for appearances and 15th among the 240 players in the club's 22-year history.
Ruiz recorded 9,340 minutes played and 24 goal contributions, making him the runner-up among active teammates in both categories. RSL Chief Soccer Officer Kurt Schmid expressed gratitude for Ruiz's service, describing him as a professional and a mentor to many in the community.
Ruiz's career with the club included a short loan to FC Pinzgau Saafelden in 2019 and a contract extension in November 2020 to keep him through the 2026 season. He faced significant injury setbacks, including a torn right meniscus in 2023 and a torn left ACL during a training session on March 5, 2024.
Following his recovery from those injuries, Ruiz logged 28 additional appearances over the last two seasons. His final match for Real Salt Lake occurred in a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids in Commerce City, Colo.
Real Salt Lake is scheduled to host Los Angeles Football Club on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. MT. The club has played four of its next six September matches at America First Field.
