The Charleston Battery and Real Salt Lake have agreed to the permanent transfer of attacker Fidel Barajas to the Major League Soccer side, the clubs announced Thursday. Per club policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed and the transaction is pending league and federation approval.
Barajas’ move to MLS comes on the heels of his historic and breakout season in 2023, where the 17-year-old was named the USL Championship Young Player of the Year, selected to the All-League Second Team, and featured in The Guardian’s Next Generation 2023 for being among the top young players in the world.
“My time with the Charleston Battery was amazing, from the coaches to the teammates to the staff, they all helped me grow and develop immensely,” said Barajas. “The ability to get this experience with the club and at a high level in the USL Championship was priceless. Coach Pirmann and the Battery owners’ belief in me gave me the confidence I needed, especially at such a young age, to perform day in and day out.”
Barajas’ banner year included him leading the Championship in assists across the regular season and playoffs, recording 11 en route to the Battery’s Eastern Conference title. The rising star also scored five goals and was a three-time Team of the Week honoree.
His Battery tenure is capped off with 13 assists and five goals in 37 appearances across all competitions from 2022 to 2023.
In addition to the Eastern Conference trophy, Barajas secured silverware with Mexico by winning the 2023 Concacaf U-17 Championship. He led El Tri to glory with three goals and five assists. Barajas later debuted in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, tallying one goal and one assist.
“We have been intent with our goal of being a club that attracts top talent, develops them to their potential and moves them to a higher level,” said Club Chairman Rob Salvatore. “Fidel is the prime example of that strategy. He and his family trusted our club to offer a meaningful chance against high-level professionals and that we’d elevate him to the next opportunity.
“Our point of view has always been that player development, featuring young players and winning are not mutually exclusive, and I feel strongly they are all highly correlated.”
“We are very happy for Fidel and his opportunity in MLS with Real Salt Lake, he is a generational talent with an incredible career ahead of him,” said Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “This further shows how the Battery are a top club in terms of both competing for trophies and providing one of the best development environments for players.”
“Real Salt Lake provide Fidel the platform and nourishing environment to continue his development, with the strong setup they have for continued growth and their connections to clubs abroad,” said Salvatore.
In the move to RSL, Barajas joins a club with strong ties to European sides such as Crystal Palace (Premier League), Estoril (Liga Portugal), Alcorcón (La Liga 2) and Brøndby IF (Danish Superliga), among others.
Additionally, Barajas adds to a growing list of players from Charleston’s 2023 squad to take their talents to the next level as Dante Polvara (Aberdeen FC) and Trey Muse (Portland Timbers) have all made the jump to top-flight competition.
“Similar young players and their families should recognize the pathway Charleston and the USL provide; excellent coaching and competition on the field, and abilities to mature in a proper professional environment off the field,” said Salvatore.
Barajas carved his name into Battery and Championship record books throughout 2023, cementing his legacy as one of the best young players to feature for either; becoming the club’s youngest goalscorer, matching a single-season club assists record and being among the youngest in league history with a two-assist or two-goal game.
The writing was on the wall for where Barajas’ game could take him after his emphatic pro debut on Oct. 1, 2022, when he added an assist within minutes of entering the match.
USL President and Chief Soccer Officer Paul McDonough applauded the move for what it means for the overall landscape of the league.
“Fidel Barajas’ transfer from the Charleston Battery to Real Salt Lake is another illustration of the opportunities being afforded young players to progress their careers in the USL Championship," said McDonough. "Fidel’s outstanding 2023 campaign and Young Player of the Year award – which came alongside the Battery’s on-field success – saw his profile rise rapidly, and he now joins another of the Championship’s outstanding alumni in Diego Luna at RSL to take the next step in his footballing journey.”
On the global stage, Barajas has featured for the Mexican U-17 national team in 25 matches, scoring eight goals. He also has five caps for the U.S. U-17 national team.
“To all the Charleston supporters, thank you,” said Barajas. “We created unforgettable memories together this year, I will miss the city and the people. The lessons I was taught at the Battery are ones I will always cherish and I hope to continue to make Charleston proud as I advance in my career.”
The club thanks Fidel for his dedication to the Battery and the Charleston community and wishes him the best of luck in his new adventure in MLS and beyond.
