Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City)
July 9, 2009 Thursday

Movsisyan talks about new signing
by Dan Rasmussen Deseret News

SANDY ? European soccer beckoned for RSL striker Yura Movsisyan, and
when it did, the 21-year-old of Armenian heritage didn’t hesitate to
accept the opportunity. Movsisyan, who has scored four goals for RSL
this season, flew to Europe last weekend and signed a pre-contract to
play with Randers FC of Denmark when his contract with MLS expires
after this season. Following a press conference Wednesday at Rio Tinto
Stadium to announce that RSL is extending its front jersey-sponsorship
deal with XanGo through the 2013 season, Movsisyan spoke publicly for
the first time.

According to Movsisyan, moving on to Randers FC, a team that will be
participating in the UEFA Europa League in 2009-10, will benefit
himself personally and professionally. "I had to make a decision for
myself and my family, and I think this is a good move for me, a good
move for me to go get a foot into the door in Europe," said
Movsisyan. "I think Denmark is a great option, and it was one of the
places that I wanted to go. Randers is a team that I heard a lot of
good things about, and I talked to the coach and everything worked out
really well." Asked about what enticed him to Randers FC, Movsisyan
spoke of being able to play on the stage of European soccer. "First of
all, it’s in Europe," said Movsisyan, who was assured by Randers’
coach that he would receive playing time when he gets over there.

"You’ve got a lot more eyes watching you, and for myself, it’s a
better opportunity to get where I want to be in my career and to be
able to say, ‘I can play in Europe. I’m a player and I can play in
Europe.’ "Everyone wants to play in Europe. You can’t hide that, and
it’s an opportunity for me to step in there and hopefully prove to
myself that I can be a good player in Europe." Right now, the big
question is: Will Movsisyan stay with RSL through the end of the
season, or will MLS sell him to Randers within the next few weeks?
Movsisyan’s contract with RSL lasts until the end of the year. "We
know one thing for sure ? he won’t be with us January 1st of next
year. That’s the only thing we know right now.

There’s some negotiating going on between MLS and his future club,"
said RSL coach Jason Kreis, who said he believed that MLS had made a
counteroffer with Randers FC for Movsisyan’s services. "From Real Salt
Lake’s point of view, we won’t let him go (now) unless it makes sense
for us," Kreis said. "It has to be beneficial to us and to him." Given
the choice between staying and leaving, Movsisyan, it seems, would
choose to leave for two primary reasons. First, he’d be able to join
Randers for preseason training and have as much time as possible to
get acclimated to his club. Second, moving now would allow his wife,
Marianna, who’s expecting the couple’s baby in December or January, to
settle in Europe before that happens. "From a family standpoint, it
would be easier to make the move now just because in January I’d have
to leave my family behind for a month until the baby can travel with a
passport," said Movsisyan. If, however, MLS and Randers can’t reach an
agreement, Movsisyan says he’s happy to stay here for the rest of the
year. "I have loyalty to this club and to these guys on the field,"
Movsisyan said of RSL. "To be honest with you, I don’t care about
anybody outside of this club (or) what people think I did. I made a
decision for myself to take the next step in my career. I have to be
loyal to my teammates, whether it’s playing out my contract and going
in January (or) … if MLS decides they wanna sell me now."