Wed Jun 11 14:23:03 2008

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RSL loans defender Besagno to USL squad

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Salt Lake City (Sports Network) - Real Salt Lake announced on Wednesday that it has loaned defender Nikolas Besagno to the Seattle Sounders of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division, effective immediately. During the 90-day loan period, which ends on Sept. 9, RSL will be able to recall the 19- year-old Besagno as needed.

"This is a real opportunity for Nik to get some high-level games, and we have every expectation that this will make him a better player," RSL general manager Garth Lagerway said. "Seattle is a great organization which will be joining MLS next year and one of the best teams in the USL First Division this season. Nik also grew up in the Seattle area, so we feel this is a really good match for everyone involved. Nik gets some experience in a comfortable environment and we have the ability to recall him based on his performance."

Besagno has made eight first-team appearances (four starts) for Real Salt Lake since the Utah club made him its first-ever draft selection in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft at the age of 16. Besagno has not yet seen time in MLS play this season, but he has been a steady presence on the field for RSL in MLS Reserve Division action, appearing in three of the squad's four games thus far, including two starts.