Real Salt Lake and Damir Kreilach agree to part ways

Real Salt Lake and club captain Damir Kreilach have mutually agreed to part ways ahead of the 2024 Major League Soccer season.

The 34-year-old departs the Western Conference side after six seasons with RSL, making over 160 appearances across all competitions and scoring 56 goals as a striker. Although the Croatia native found the back of the net eight times last season, the two parties have agreed to go their separate ways despite the club holding a contract option for the 2024 season.

Kreilach originally joined Real Salt Lake ahead of the 2018 MLS season from then 2. Bundesliga side Union Berlin, where he went on to score 15 goals and 36 appearances in league play.

"Unfortunately we are faced with saying a very difficult goodbye to Damir Kreilach, a beloved figure in our club's history who provided nearly unparalleled impact, leadership and service to Real Salt Lake," RSL sporting director Kurt Schmid said in a release.

"It's impossible to put into words what Damir has meant to our club during the last six years. Damir is the consummate professional, a true gentleman and an unequivocal leader who holds himself and his teammates to the highest of standards."

The veteran striker only managed more goals in 2021 when he netted 16 times in MLS, which set a career-high for goals scored in a season for the former Rijeka player. Kreilach helped RSL to a third place finish in 2019, their highest ever position during his time with the club.

Kreilach leaves Real Salt Lake in third place on the all-time goalscoring charts behind Javier Morales (60) and Alvaro Saborio (79).

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