Impact add winger Lucas Ontivero on loan from Galatasaray

The Montreal Impact have announced that they have acquired Argentine winger Lucas Ontivero from Galatasaray in Turkey. Ontivero most recently played for Olimpija in Slovenia where he was on loan from Galatasaray. The Impact had been linked to Ontivero for some time.

Ontivero is 21 years old, 5'6'' and 142 lbs. He is a quick, elusive, creative player, who can play on either side of the field. Ontivero's talents are primarily offensive, and he would fit well into the 4-3-3 formation the Impact were employing at the end of last season as one of the wide attacking players.

Ontivero is left-footed, and so it will be expected to see him being compared to Justin Mapp (who was left-footed yet attacked from the right side) at some point this season. Ontivero is likely the front office's attempt to replace the void left by Mapp and the possible departure of Dilly Duka. Though Ontivero arguably has a better skill set and value than the two aforementioned players, it is yet to be seen how he will adapt to the North American game.

Ontivero joins countrymen Ignacio Piatti and Andres Romero in Montreal's midfield.

It will be interesting to see how coach Mauro Biello uses Ontivero. Biello could use Ontivero on the right side where the gap left by Mapp is. This seems like a natural fit. Especially with Piatti finding a home on the left side in Biello's 4-3-3.

Or he could make use of his left foot by putting him on the left side. This scenario, however, would probably mean that Piatti has been moved back to a central position on the field in any variance of a 4-5-1. Impact fans may not be too fond of that move, as Piatti has shown that he is much more comfortable and productive on the left side rather than in the middle.

What may be of even more significance to Impact fans is what the Impact still have in store before they kick off their 2016 campaign.