HERRIMAN, Utah – Former USL Championship All-League selection Justin Portillo became the eighth player to join Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake from Real Monarchs SLC on Tuesday, with the central midfielder joining the club ahead of the 2019 MLS season’s kickoff this Saturday.

“Justin has been impressive in his time with the Monarchs and has earned the opportunity to sign a first team contract,” RSL General Manager Craig Waibel said. “It’s a great credit to his own talent and hard work and it’s great as an organization to be able to reward that commitment.”

Portillo has made 142 appearances in the USL Championship across the regular season and USL Cup Playoffs since joining the Charleston Battery for the 2014 campaign, tied for the fifth-most over the past five seasons. The midfield playmaker has recorded 20 goals and 21 assists over that span.

“This is a dream come true,” Portillo said. “Ever since I was a little kid, watching the games on TV I wanted to be in the league. It’s an exciting time for me and my family. It’s something I think that I’m ready to challenge for. I can’t wait to keep going with the club.”

The 26-year-old native of New Orleans competed for both Reading United AC and K-W United FC in USL League Two before joining the professional ranks after a successful career at Coast Carolina University. He joined the pro ranks with the Battery and was named Charleston’s newcomer of the year in his rookie campaign. He then went on to earn All-League Second Team honors in 2017 after recording six goals and six assists as the Battery finished second in the Eastern Conference.

Portillo joined Real Monarchs SLC prior to the 2018 Championship season and recorded seven assists and 54 key passes in 33 appearances for the side. Portillo ranked third in the league with 2,006 passes attempted and recorded a pass completion rate of 89.3 percent, while also winning 94 of 169 duels and recording 25 interceptions.