Impact signs Uruguayan midfielder Silva
The Montreal Impact boosted their attack with the acquisition of Uruguayan midfielder Alejandro Silva on Monday and are expected to make at least one more signing soon.
Silva, 28, arrived on a free transfer from Club Atletico Lanus of Argentina. Montreal used targeted allocation money to sign the attacking midfielder to a three-year contract, which avoided using their one remaining designated-player slot after midfielders Ignacio Piatti and Saphir Taider.
The club is also chasing French central defender Rudy Camacho, who is reportedly in Montreal. The 27-year-old has agreed to a deal, but is awaiting a transfer agreement between the Major League Soccer team and his club Waasland Beveren, according to the Belgian team’s website.
The Impact found themselves short on defence when, after trading Laurent Ciman to Los Angeles FC, his replacement Zakaria Diallo ruptured an Achilles tendon days before the regular-season opener in Vancouver. Second-year defender Kyle Fisher is also out four months with a fractured left shin.
Silva, a 5-foot-10, 150-pounder, adds experience and talent to another thin spot at midfield, where he can play on the right side or in the middle.
“Alejandro is an attacking player who will bring his experience to the team and increase our options in the last third,” Impact coach Rémi Garde said in a statement. “His passing qualities and his speed will contribute in improving our play. His high work rate also makes him an option as a midfielder.”
Technical director Adam Braz said Silva “will add a different dimension to the attack and will help improve the overall quality and depth of the team.
“His versatility on the field is very positive in that he can also play as a central midfielder. We are in discussions with other clubs regarding specific players that Rémi has identified and we are hopeful that we can conclude certain moves in the not so distant future.”