Montreal Impact sign four players to homegrown contracts

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signings

The Montreal Impact have signed four academy talents to homegrown contracts, the club announced Friday. Jean-Aniel Assi, Sean Rea, Nathan-Dylan Saliba and Rida Zouhir are all midfielders.

All four players will be available for selection when the Impact wrap up their Concacaf Champions League run on December 15 against Olimpia.

“Even though the season was quite disrupted, we continued to follow the development of our young players,” Impact sporting director Olivier Renard said in a club statement. “We are very happy to be able to give these four talents from our Academy the opportunity to join the first team.”

Assi, 16, is a winger that was playing with the club's U-23 side. Saliba, also 16, is a Canadian youth international. Rea, 18, was part of Canada's U-17 World Cup roster while Zouhir, 18, was also with the club's U-23 side. 

Academy director Patrick Leduc shared his thoughts on the players: 

“Jean is a very fast winger with impressive athletic qualities. In addition to having a lot of speed allowing him to dribble past his defender on a one-v-one situation, he also has a good shot.

"Nathan-Dylan can play any position in the midfield. He’s shown a very steady progression since joining the Academy. A complete player, he is an athlete capable of adapting to every situation, thanks to his winning mentality.

"Sean is creative and can be an attacking spark. Able to make the last pass, he also has the ability to dribble. He’s faced adversity in the past year and has responded in an exemplary manner.

"Finally, Rida has the character and personality to make his mark in the midfield. Good with both feet, he asserts himself with his professional attitude.”