Real Salt Lake's breakout rookie isn't leaving Sandy anytime soon.

The club announced Monday, Aug. 24, that it has extended forward Sergi Solans through the 2029-30 MLS season, with a club option for 2030-31. The deal replaces the contract the 22-year-old Spaniard signed just six months ago when he joined RSL in January.

Solans leads the team with 13 goals across all competitions this season. His nine MLS goals have already shattered Corey Baird's franchise rookie record of eight, set during Baird's Rookie of the Year campaign, and 14 regular-season matches remain.

"I'm living a dream. … And if someone told me six months ago, or eight months ago, that now I would be signing this extension, I would never believe that," Solans told KSL Sports Monday in the lobby of RSL's Denver hotel.

The extension came despite interest from abroad. Solans said his agent had been exploring opportunities in Europe, with family in Spain pressing him to return closer to home. But Solans said his head was always in Utah, calling RSL's offer "honestly amazing."

RSL chief soccer officer Kurt Schmid called the signing "an easy decision," according to the club's official announcement.

From college to franchise record-holder

A native of Lleida, Spain, Solans came to the U.S. in 2023 as a product of the Girona FC academy. He scored 12 goals in 10 matches at Oregon State, earning West Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Third-Team All-America honors. RSL drafted him No. 30 overall in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, acquiring the pick from the LA Galaxy for $50,000 in general allocation money.

Rather than sign immediately, Solans returned to college and transferred to UCLA, where he scored 16 goals and led the Bruins to the 2025 Big Ten Championship. He was named Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

He made his RSL debut off the bench Feb. 21 at Vancouver, becoming all-time RSL player No. 230. Six months later, he owns the franchise rookie scoring record.

What's next

Solans enters Tuesday's Leagues Cup quarterfinal against Club León on a four-match scoring run. He sat out RSL's 2-1 loss to Orlando City SC on Saturday, Aug. 22, as coaches rested him for the knockout round. A goal against León would match former RSL captain Damir Kreilach's club-record five-match scoring streak from 2021.

Head coach Pablo Mastroeni recalled that when Solans visited RSL's first team before returning to college, the then-prospect was asking tactical questions during a three-day visit. Mastroeni said those small moments revealed Solans' commitment to learning and quality of character.

RSL faces Club León at 8:30 p.m. MT Tuesday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, on Apple TV. A win advances RSL to the semifinals, where three of the final four teams earn a CONCACAF Champions Cup berth. The club then visits the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, Aug. 29, before hosting LAFC at America First Field on Saturday, Sept. 5.