REAL Salt Lake have selected Jamaican international Lovel Palmer in Stage 2 of the Major League Soccer Re-Entry Draft to strengthen their defence and midfield for the new season.

The 28-year-old made 19 appearances (15 times in the starting line-up) for Portland Timbers last season.

Real Salt Lake will now have one week to extend a genuine contract to the past student of St Elizabeth Technical High School or let him go.

Signing with the MLS in 2010 to join Houston Dynamo and moving to Portland Timbers in 2011 and 2012, Palmer has three goals and two assists in a total 79 career appearances in United States’ top league.

A headliner for Harbour View FC from 2000-2010, he had a stint with Trinidad & Tobago’s W Connection in 2004 before returning to the ‘Stars of the East’.

Palmer was also a member of Jamaica’s Gold Cup squad in 2005 and has so far made 29 caps for the senior Reggae Boyz.

Born in Mandeville, he is more likely to play a midfield role for Real Salt Lake if negotiations are finalised, since Tony Beltran has under lock and key the right back position.