Justen Glad Signs Four-Year Extension With Real Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake defender Justen Glad has inked a new multi-year contract with Real Salt Lake, solidifying his commitment to the club.

Glad, 23, first joined the RSL family in 2012 when he signed with the RSL Academy in Arizona. Two years later he signed a homegrown contract, making him the seventh homegrown player in club history.

“Justen is a proven high-level starter in this league and at 23 years old has significant room for growth as well,” RSL General Manager Elliot Fall said.  “We are thrilled to have him on board long-term and see him continue to cement himself as a leader in our locker room.”

His rise to professional soccer took flight in 2015 at the somber age of 18 when he debuted for the Real Monarchs in April before making his first-team debut in June.

A special #RSL announcement pic.twitter.com/pQHTl6L5oK

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) January 4, 2021

It wasn’t until 2016 when Glad started to cement his spot in the starting XI on a regular basis, starting 27 matches at center back. His peers and coaches voted the then 19-year-old RSL’s defender of the year after his breakout campaign.

Since then, Glad has continued to develop and improve. His ability to track opposing strikers down with his speed, goal-saving challenges and continued growth in knowledge has afforded Glad the luxury of experiencing the professional level at such a young age.

Throughout his career with RSL, Glad has also represented his beloved United States at the international level. Glad’s first taste of international soccer came when he was selected as a member of the 2013 CONCACAF U.S. U-17 Championship. Since then, he has represented America at the U-18 and U-20 levels. He played a key role during the 2017 U-20 FIFA World Cup in which the United States made it to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Venezuela.

Glad has been called into the United States first team camp but is yet to appear in a game.

Despite being just 23 years of age, Glad already has 123 first-team appearances for RSL. He has scored 3 goals and prevented many, many more.

“I love RSL and having come up through the Academy and seeing the club put their faith in me from the very beginning has been an amazing feeling,” Glad said.  “I’m excited to continue this journey with RSL and I think we’re at a critical point within the organization right now.  I’m excited to be a part of pushing this club in the right direction and elevate it to new levels.”