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Report: Impact to ink Belgium’s Laurent Ciman as Designated Player

LaurentCimanStandardLiege1-Westerlo2014 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

After losing the likes of Matteo Ferraro, Mamadou “Futty” Danso, and Heath Pearce in the offseason, the Montreal Impact are set to add a key defensive piece.

According to multiple reports in Canada, the Impact are expected to complete the signing of Belgian international defender Laurent Ciman to a Designated Player contract. The 29-year-old is currently a member of Standard Liege in the Belgian Pro League, but is expected to arrive on a free transfer after Sunday’s big match against Anderlecht.

“Laurent is a player we identified and targeted,” Impact technical director Adam Braz said in a statement. “He is in the final stages of coming to an agreement with his club team to mutually terminate his contract and we hope to have everything finalized in the near future.”

Ciman, who plays primarily at center back, will sign a three-year contract with the Impact that includes two option years, according to Goal Canada. If Ciman signs, he’ll become the Impact’s second Designated Player along with Ignacio Piatti.

Ciman has played more than 200 times in the Belgian league and has made nine appearances for the Belgian national team. He was in the squad at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but didn’t feature in any of Belgium’s five matches.

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Ciman as an upgrade for the Impact’s defense? Surprised another defender could be signed as a Designated Player?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. @steve98689 IMFC FO is run by Italo-Canadians (and Braz which is just Saputo’s and Desantis’ arms). A couple years ago, back in the USL they had bad experiences with French players. I think they just have more contacts in Italy and Argentina than in France and French speaking countries in Africa. Also, I am pretty sure Saputo takes lots of pride in signing Italian names… Rumours in the last years indicates that they tried to sign some French.. but it didn’t worked out Trezeguet, Anelka and I think they tried Drogba too.

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  2. Ives, I never seen this question asked in a q&a. But I always wonder, why doesn’t the impact try to recruit any French players? Also why doesn’t NYRB try to recruit Italian players?

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    • Probably because it isn’t 1910 any more. There are communities of virtually every nationality you can think of in nyc, not just Italians.

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  3. This offseason has been amazing for MLS. Definitely have Liga MX in our sights as almost every team seems to be getting much stronger and deeper.

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    • I think this is a direct result of the better TV contract. Teams are beginning to spend that money. Now if they will only double the salary cap. A year ago I predicted MLS parity with Liga MX in 3 to 5 years. I think that estimate is looking good.

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