Minnesota United's newly acquired Hunou, Fragapane likely to debut Saturday at Real Salt Lake

After such a wait, Minnesota United newcomers Adrien Hunou and Franco Fragapane made their first impressions at training the past two days, before each likely will make his MLS debut Saturday at Real Salt Lake.

"It has been long, protracted negotiations, we had to be very patient," Loons coach Adrian Heath said. "I think the wait will be worth it. They've looked terrific in training."

Hunou hasn't played a full game in France's first division in many weeks. Not since he told his hometown Stade Rennais team and its new coach that he wanted a transfer to MLS and Minnesota.

Fragapane continued to play every fourth day for his Talleres team in Argentina, right until the day before his immigration paperwork cleared.

"They're a little bit different stages in their match fitness," Heath said. "They've both come in and one thing that has shown through is their quality, even in a very short period of time. Now we have to integrate them in the best way possible. That will be a work in progress, but we bought quality and that's there for all to see."

Heath said more than one of his players approached after training Wednesday and called themselves impressed with their new teammates.

In an interview, midfielder Jacori Hayes praised Hunou's hold-up play and his good first touch.

"Sometimes it takes a little getting used to them," Hayes said. "What they like, what makes them different, what makes them special. You can see the qualities the coaches and scouting staff saw."

Fragapane joins fellow countrymen Emanuel Reynoso, in his second season with the Loons, and Ramon Abila, acquired last month. In an interview translated from Spanish, Fragapane called it an easier transition to have teammates who speak his language and said he is game ready for Saturday.

"Very calm," Fragapane said. "The truth is that I am training for that. Obviously, I want to play, I came for that. So let's see if I can do it."

Fellow Frenchmen Bakaye Dibassy and Romain Metanire welcomed Hunou, who conducted an interview Thursday with a team employee in English.

"It's very good," Hunou said. "They help me because it's not easy when you arrive in another country. I'm trying to speak English because it is important."

Reynoso continued Thursday to work individually on his sore knee. The Loons don't play again after Saturday until June 19 at FC Dallas.

"Rey is virtually there," said Heath, who called Reynoso a gameday decision. "The question is whether we get to the stage where we feel we might do him more harm than good for 90 minutes."

Starting center back Dibassy is set to make his season debut after a thigh injury sidelined him for the first six games.

Heath said he'll decide by Saturday whether Dibassy returns as a starter or substitute.

"He has worked really hard for over a week now," Heath said. "He has done everything that is expected of him."

• Veteran midfielder Ethan Finlay worked individually Thursday because of a sore knee. "We'll see how he is [Friday]," Heath said. "But we don't think it's anything serious."

• The Loons loaned rookie first-round pick Nabi Kibunguchy to USL's Sacramento Republic FC to get some game action, as the Loons are idle for two weeks after Saturday. Kibunguchy played nearby collegiately at UC-Davis.

• Minnesota United's Oct. 31 home game will start at noon, broadcast on ESPN. That's one of the Loons' five nationally televised games. Earlier this week, their Aug. 4 home game against Colorado was moved to Oct. 9.