by Adam Kostanuick, March 20, 2018
Montreal, PQ – The Montréal Impact have added a significant piece to an injury-addled puzzle, announcing the signing of Uruguayan midfielder Alejandro Silva on a free transfer from Argentine side CA Lanús.
The club has used Targeted Allocation Money to sign Silva to a three-year contract, ensuring their lone remaining Designated Player slot remains vacant.
“Alejandro is a right-sided attacking player with a lot of experience playing in South America,” stated Impact technical director Adam Braz. “He 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.”
The 28-year-old Silva may very well slot in to a central midfield role with the Impact, who have deployed both Raheem Edwards and Chilean Jeisson Vargas on the right in early season matches. Both have figured on the scoresheet, with Vargas scoring Montréal’s lone goal against Toronto FC last weekend.
Silva possesses a wealth of experience playing for both club and country in South America. A veteran of two Copa Libertadores finals, in 2013 with Paraguayan club Olimpia and with CA Lanús in 2017, he has also been capped four times by the national men’s team in Uruguay.
“Alejandro is an attacking player who will bring his experience to the team and increase our options in the last third,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “His passing qualities and his speed will contribute in improving our play. His high work rate also makes him an option as a midfielder.”
Playing Silva in the middle may be Garde’s best option, allowing Algerian international Saphir Taïder to slot in directly behind the attack, with fellow Designated Player and undisputed club MVP Ignacio Piatti out in his more comfortable position on the left.
The pair have demonstrated great chemistry on the field thus far, with their link-up play in Montréal’s home opener against TFC creating numerous chances.
While Montréal’s midfield is admittedly thin, it is in central defence where the club must find fresh faces, and look set to announce another signing within days.
French central defender Rudy Camacho has been spotted in and around the city, and looks set to sign with the club, pending a transfer agreement with Waasland Beveren, according to the Belgian side’s website.
After trading MLS Defender of the Year and crowd-favourite Laurent Ciman to LAFC in the offseason, and with his replacement Zakaria Diallo set to miss up to six months after suffering an injury to his Achilles in training, the Impact have been using left back Jukka Raitala as a central defender beside Victor Cabrera.
While the pair have fared adequately, the Impact conceded 5 goals in their first two regular season matches before the weekend’s clean sheet against Toronto.
