Real Salt Lake has reached an agreement to loan defender Nikolas Besagno to the USL’s Seattle Sounders. Besagno joined the USL First Division team on Tuesday and will remain with the Sounders until September 9, at which time RSL can recall him as needed.

Besagno was Real’s first-ever SuperDraft pick, but has struggled to get playing time with the first team, making only four starts and eight appearances since 2005. Recently, he has started in two reserve matches and appeared in another.

Besagno is a Seattle-area native whose brother Jake played for the Sounders in 2006 and 2007.

“This is a real opportunity for Nik to get some high-level games, and we have every expectation that this will make him a better player. Seattle is a great organization which will be joining MLS next year and one of the best teams in the USL First Division this season,” said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey in a statement.

“Nik also grew up in the Seattle area, so we feel this is a really good match for everyone involved. Nik gets some experience in a comfortable environment and we have the ability to recall him based on his performance.”