HERRIMAN, Utah – Former Missouri State men's soccer player Jesus Barea (2020-24) recently finalized his professional contract with Real Salt Lake, the club announced last week. The native of Cádiz, Spain was taken 19th overall by Real Salt Lake in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, making Barea the first Missouri State player to be selected in the first round back in December. Barea is signed for the 2025 MLS season, with club options for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 MLS seasons.

"Jesus has demonstrated throughout the preseason his ability to play multiple attacking positions," RSL Chief Soccer Officer Kurt Schmid said. "His combination play, work rate and pressing skills are more advanced than most rookies. We look forward to his contributions this season."

Barea was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year last season, making him the first Bear to earn the award twice (2022, 2024). The MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist appeared in all 18 matches in 2024 for the Bears and recorded 15 goals, tied for the second most in a Bears season. His 15 goals were tied for fourth-most in Division I in 2024. He ended his MoState career with 34 goals, 19 assists and appearances in the NCAA Tournament in all five of his seasons in Springfield.

"It is a huge accomplishment to not only be drafted in the first round but to earn a senior contract as a rookie," Missouri State head coach Michael Seabolt said. "Jesus is one of the very few in the country to have done that from college in recent years. He is incredibly deserving."

"I was really happy and so excited to see my name on there, especially to Real Salt Lake," Barea told Real Salt Lake. "RSL is a place that I'm looking forward to, it's a really emotional moment. The community, the fan base, the stadium, the fans are really important to me. The head coach and the squad with a lot of South American guys are going to help me to speak Spanish. I think that's what I am looking forward to the most."

While Real Salt Lake awaits the opening of international roster spots due to either green card approvals and/or various acquisition mechanisms, Barea will be loaned from RSL's supplemental roster to Real Monarchs of MLS NEXT Pro.