The arrival of skillful Argentine midfielder Ignacio Piatti (pictured) has lifted the hopes of Impact de Montreal supporters. (Photo courtesy of the Impact de Montreal)
MONTREAL – Some things are worth the wait. And Ignacio Piatti has finally arrived in Montreal.
Piatti, a talented Argentine midfielder, is expected to provide a huge boost to the Impact, which currently sits last in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference, but won its 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League opener 1-0 against visiting CD FAS on August 5.
The club originally announced on July 2 that it signed the 29-year-old, but reached an agreement that would allow him to remain with his club, Argentina’s San Lorenzo, until it completed play in the Copa Libertadores. All of this was contingent, though, on a special exemption being obtained from FIFA to return the player’s registration to Major League Soccer outside of the transfer window.
As it turned out, in order to steer clear of that issue, Piatti had to leave San Lorenzo sooner than expected, flying to Canada on Wednesday. The Argentine power ultimately won its first Copa Libertadores without him that same day, completing a 2-1 aggregate victory over Paraguay’s Nacional.
Piatti had played for San Lorenzo since August 2012
“I’m very happy that San Lorenzo won the Copa Libertadores,” Piatti said at a press conference on Thursday in Montreal. “It was a dream that has finally come true. I saw the game last night and congratulated my teammates.”
Frank Klopas, the Impact’s head coach, expressed delight at finally having the standout performer within the confines of Stade Saputo.
“He’s definitely going to bring a lot of quality, but everyone else around him has to step up and contribute to the team effort,” Klopas said.
It is anticipated that Piatti will make his debut at home on Saturday against the Chicago Fire
