Real Salt Lake Defender Toni Datković Arrives In Utah, Enters Quarantine
Jul 6, 2021, 11:39 AM
Landry Dimata of RCD Espanyol challenges for the ball against Toni Datkovic of FC Cartagena during the Liga Smartbank match betwen RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Cartagena at RCDE Stadium on May 14, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
(Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake defender Toni Datković has arrived in Utah and has entered quarantine, KSL Sports has confirmed. He arrived at Salt Lake City International Airport on Monday, July 6th.
Datković Arrives In Utah
Datković, 27, will utilize an international roster spot and will look to help bolster the defense which has come under scrutiny as of late for giving up soft second-half goals. He was officially signed on June 2nd, RSL had been waiting on the final paperwork to be processed and for his visa to be approved.
His quarantine timeframe is unknown, however, a spokesperson from RSL confirmed that he will be available to train with the main group as soon as next week.
“We want to welcome Toni to the team and bring him into a good crop of center backs. We think he can continue to help us grow and push the team further and fits the profile of our roster as a positive and humble player,” RSL Head Coach Freddy Juarez said shortly after the news broke of his signing. “He comes with a good pedigree and is a talented left-footed center back that can help us in distribution but also raise the quality of defending. Anytime we can add players that can help us grow in our style of play and push competition in our team, it’s a good thing.”
The backline is just getting stronger and stronger.
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 2, 2021
Datković Club History
Datković joins RSL from Aris Thessaloniki in Greece’s first division. He has had stints in Croatia, Slovenia, and multiple loan spells in Spain’s second division.
Datković has also represented his native Croatia on five occasions. Three appearances with the Croatian Under-19, one with the Under-20’s and one cap with the Croatian National Team.
Datković will compete for playing time at the center back position alongside Justen Glad, Marcelo Silva, and Erik Holt.
⚽️ Izaberite najljepši pogodak #prvaliga u sezoni 2019./2020.! 🔝
👇 Osmina finala 2⃣
🅰️ Darko Nejašmić (@hajduk)
🆚
🅱️ Toni Datković (@NKLokomotiva) pic.twitter.com/SlJymmrdQL— Prva HNL (@1hnl) August 3, 2020
RSL is still awaiting the arrival of Argentine winger Jonathan Menéndez as the club is waiting on his visa to be approved. His arrival remains timeline remains unclear.
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Next Fixture
RSL will play the Vancouver Whitecaps at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday, July 7 at 8 p.m. The fixture is technically an away game for RSL who are accommodating the Whitecaps as immigration protocols have denied them access into Canada due to the global pandemic.
Datković will be unavailable for selection.
The match will be available to stream for free via the KSL Sports & KSL 5 TV apps and on KSL Sports dot com.
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