Real Salt Lake forward Joao Plata fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during training on Sunday and the club said he will be sidelined for three to four months and undergo surgery.
The Ecuadorian international's surgery was set for Monday at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center.
Plata injured his foot during "a non-contact change-of-direction on artificial turf" in RSL's only field training session in Utah, the club said. The team headed to preseason camp in Casa Grande, Arizona, on Monday.
Plata, 22, scored 17 goals with 14 assists during his two seasons after joining Utah following a stint with Toronto FC. Last season he was RSL's leading scorer with 13 goals, earning a recall to the Ecuador national team.
RSL also officially announced on Monday they have signed Plata to a multi-year deal with Young Designated Player status.
"Kudos to club ownership for making the commitment to a young player in Joao Plata who has proven himself as an exciting, dynamic offensive threat for RSL," said Real Salt Lake technical director Craig Waibel in a statement.
"Plata has earned this, to have the multiple parties involved in his player pass be eliminated and the security of knowing that this club, Real Salt Lake, is his home, now and for the foreseeable future."
