It has been rumored for weeks now and on Monday the Montreal Impact made it official. Costa Rican international Johan Venegas has officially signed with the team from Costa Rican outfit Alajuelense.
His name should be familiar to the Impact faithful as he started both semifinal games against Montreal in the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League with Alajuelense. In 13 games during last season's tournament he recorded two goals and three assists.
Venegas has been a key player for Alajuelense over the last two seasons, recording 15 goals and 10 assists in 58 regular season games.
"We are very happy to have completed the transfer and signing of Johan Venegas," said Impact technical director Adam Braz in a release. "He is a quality player with international experience who can play in multiple positions. He will be a very good addition to the team."
At the international level, Venegas has been a regular member of the Costa Rican national team since making his debut last September, scoring four goals in 14 games so far. He made his senior debut against Nicaragua in the Copa Centroamericana, scoring his first career goal in that game before helping Los Ticos win the tournament. He also scored against Panama, Uruguay and Spain. He recently appeared in all four of Costa Rica's 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup games, starting three.
"Johan is a quality player at a good age," said Impact head coach and director of player personnel Frank Klopas. "He will help this team in the second half of the season and he is a good addition for the future of this club."
