Photo by Jim O’Connor/USA Today Sports

By DAN KARELL

Ambroise Oyongo, one of the key pieces in the multiplayer trade between the Montreal Impact and the New York Red Bulls on Jan. 27, may never put on an Impact jersey.

The 23-year-old left back’s contract status with MLS is up in the air, according to a report in French publication L’Equipe. The report claims that Oyongo’s contract with MLS is “null and void,” despite the Red Bulls reporting that they signed him to a permanent deal on Jan. 9.

FECAFOOT, the Cameroonian FA, claims that Oyongo should never have been able to sign a professional contract in the first place, because the club he was registered to, Rainbow FC Bamenda, is an amateur club.

“The contract in question is void and of no effect,” FECAFOOT said in a letter to the parties involved.

According to FECAFOOT, Oyongo, who is back in Yaounde, Cameroon, after playing for the Cameroon national team at the African Cup of Nations, is a free agent.

The Impact released a statement on Thursday night denying the claims that Oyongo is a free agent.

“We have gone step by step with the league,” the Impact statement read. “His contract is in accordance with FIFA regulations. We will take all necessary actions to make sure that the contract is respected.”

Here are some more stories from around MLS:

NYCFC SIGNS FORMER COLOMBIA U-20 MIDFIELDER CALLE

New York City FC has added some more South American flair to their midfield.

On Friday the club announced the signing of Javier Calle on a season-long loan with the option to buy from Colombian side Independiente Medellin. The 23-year-old scored six goals in 21 games last season in the league for Independiente.

“We are very pleased to bring Javier on board,” NYCFC head coach Jason Kreis said in a statement. “He is a left-footed, versatile and creative player who I believe will adapt well to MLS and give us some different options in midfield. He has impressed both at club and international level and we are confident that he will continue to develop with us in New York.”

Calle has already joined NYCFC on their preseason training jaunt to England. He’ll join the club pending the receipt of his international transfer certificate and his P-1 visa.

UNION CLOSING IN ON HULKING PORTUGUESE CENTER BACK

With Carlos Valdes on his way out the door at PPL Park for the second year in a row, the Union are closing in on a replacement.

According to CBS Philadelphia, the Union are attempting to sign 6-foot-5 center back Steven Vitoria. The report states that the deal would be a season-long loan, and would carry a cap hit of $400,000. Vitoria, a dual Canadian-Portuguese citizen born in Toronto, is currently contracted to Benfica but has found opportunities hard to come by.

The only thing holding up the deal, according to the report, is Valdes finalizing his season-long loan to Nacional of Uruguay.

RED BULLS WIN ONE, LOSE ANOTHER IN PRESEASON ACTION

The Red Bulls split up their squad and took on two opponents on Thursday.

In the first game, goals from Sacha Kljestan and Dax McCarty led the Red Bulls to a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC. It was the first goal, albeit unofficial, for Kljestan since joining the club in late January.

In the second game, the Red Bulls fell to the Jacksonville Armada, 4-1. Eric Stevenson scored the lone goal in the defeat for the Red Bulls.

FC DALLAS WAIVES MIDFIELDER SPAN

Brian Span lasted only one season with FC Dallas.

After being acquired last spring in a weighted lottery and splitting time between Orlando City in USL Pro and the FC Dallas reserves, FC Dallas announced this week that they have waived the 22-year-old Span.

Span played 19 times for Orlando City last season, scoring three goals, and played another six times for the FC Dallas reserves, scoring a goal and adding an assist.

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Oyongo suiting up for the Impact? Do you believe that Calle can start for NYCFC? What do you think of the Union’s potential signing?

Share your thoughts below.