Nikolas Besagno

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Personal information
Nikolas Besagno
Full name	Nikolas Besagno
Date of birth	November 15, 1988 (1988-11-15) (age 19)
Place of birth	Maple Valley, WA, United States
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position	midfielder
Club information
Current club	Real Salt Lake
Number	20
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
2005-	Real Salt Lake	8 (0)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16 July 2007. ² National team caps and goals correct as of 31 July 2006. * Appearances (Goals)

Nikolas Besagno (born November 15, 1988 in Maple Valley, Washington) is an American soccer defensive midfielder, who currently plays for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer. Salt Lake recently added the youngster to their drafting roster 2007, meaning he is free to join another club if he agrees a contract.

One of the most touted young players in the country, Besagno became the first overall pick of the 2005 MLS SuperDraft when he was drafted by his former United States Under-17 coach and current Salt Lake boss John Ellinger. At the age of 16, Besagno, who signed a Generation adidas contract with MLS, became the second youngest player in league history to be drafted, behind 2004's number one overall choice, 14-year-old Freddy Adu.

Besagno, a graduate of the Bradenton Academy, has been a regular for the Under-17 United States national team, and has already moved up to the Under-20 squad.