Cabral signs with Real Salt Lake
Cabral signs with Real Salt Lake
Brazilian goalkeeper brings 375 professional appearances and Copa Libertadores pedigree to MLS
Brazilian goalkeeper brings 375 professional appearances and Copa Libertadores pedigree to MLS
HERRIMAN, Utah — Real Salt Lake have signed goalkeeper Rafael Cabral to a contract through the 2026 MLS season, with club options for 2027 and 2028. The 34-year-old Brazilian arrives having spent nearly a decade in Italy and England before returning to Brazil to feature for Cruzeiro and Grêmio.
Born May 20, 1990 in Sorocaba, São Paulo, Cabral came through the Santos youth academy before making 151 appearances for the club, winning the Copa Libertadores in 2011. The following year he was called up to both the Brazil National Team and Brazil Olympic Team, making his senior debut in a 4-1 win over the United States ahead of the London Olympics.
In 2013, Napoli purchased Cabral for more than $5 million. He made his debut for the Serie A side in a UEFA Champions League match against Arsenal, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win. Five seasons in Italy with Napoli and Sampdoria followed — winning the Coppa Italia and Italian SuperCup — before a move to Championship side Reading, where he was named the club's 2019/20 Player of the Season across 98 appearances. Most recently, Cabral made 120 appearances for Cruzeiro before a loan spell at Grêmio, where he made six appearances in the second half of 2024.
"Rafa brings a steady hand and high-level experience to our goalkeeping group," said RSL Chief Soccer Officer Kurt Schmid. "Rafa is comfortable with the ball at his feet and has demonstrated an ability throughout his career to stop shots and organize a defense, while thriving in big moments, as he did in the Copa Libertadores over a decade ago. With what we've seen from him recently, we believe he will provide strong leadership in the locker room, inspire confidence across our back line and mentor our young 'keepers as well."
"I am so happy and excited to sign with Real Salt Lake — this is what I wanted, a new experience for my life," said Cabral. "I have played in Italy and England and Brazil, and I very much like the project, the way the club plays, the mentality. I am here to help on and off the pitch with my experience. I expect to help the team and do whatever the club needs from me as a leader and as a player."
HERRIMAN, Utah — Real Salt Lake have signed goalkeeper Rafael Cabral to a contract through the 2026 MLS season, with club options for 2027 and 2028. The 34-year-old Brazilian arrives having spent nearly a decade in Italy and England before returning to Brazil to feature for Cruzeiro and Grêmio.
Born May 20, 1990 in Sorocaba, São Paulo, Cabral came through the Santos youth academy before making 151 appearances for the club, winning the Copa Libertadores in 2011. The following year he was called up to both the Brazil National Team and Brazil Olympic Team, making his senior debut in a 4-1 win over the United States ahead of the London Olympics.
In 2013, Napoli purchased Cabral for more than $5 million. He made his debut for the Serie A side in a UEFA Champions League match against Arsenal, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win. Five seasons in Italy with Napoli and Sampdoria followed — winning the Coppa Italia and Italian SuperCup — before a move to Championship side Reading, where he was named the club's 2019/20 Player of the Season across 98 appearances. Most recently, Cabral made 120 appearances for Cruzeiro before a loan spell at Grêmio, where he made six appearances in the second half of 2024.
"Rafa brings a steady hand and high-level experience to our goalkeeping group," said RSL Chief Soccer Officer Kurt Schmid. "Rafa is comfortable with the ball at his feet and has demonstrated an ability throughout his career to stop shots and organize a defense, while thriving in big moments, as he did in the Copa Libertadores over a decade ago. With what we've seen from him recently, we believe he will provide strong leadership in the locker room, inspire confidence across our back line and mentor our young 'keepers as well."
"I am so happy and excited to sign with Real Salt Lake — this is what I wanted, a new experience for my life," said Cabral. "I have played in Italy and England and Brazil, and I very much like the project, the way the club plays, the mentality. I am here to help on and off the pitch with my experience. I expect to help the team and do whatever the club needs from me as a leader and as a player."
