Fanni Returns for 2020

As reported by Vincent Destouches this morning, defender Rod Fanni (38) and the Montreal Impact have reached an agreement to extend the former Marseille man’s contract into 2020.

Fanni has signed twice previously for the Impact, each time in response to emergency calls. This time his retention in the squad has been a matter of planning.

When he arrived in 2019, it was as a replacement for the departed Zakaria Diallo to ensure the Impact had enough defensive cover in the ultimately failed regular season race for a play-off place. By the time Fanni was fit enough to take the field, play-off hopes had all but evaporated and as a result, he started only 3 games.

Although again in 2018, he arrived in fairly chaotic circumstances with the Impact chronically short on central defensive cover, it was not long after the season had begun and he went on to make 26 MLS appearances, scoring one goal.

Despite advancing years, Fanni’s contribution throughout his time with the club has always been classy and effective. He hardly fits the profile as Impact target a younger roster, but many will feel he can still do a job within the squad for 2020.

Rod Fanni’s new contract is in addition to those of striker Anthony Jackson-Hamel and goalkeeper Clément Diop, in particular, each of whom also came to agreements with the club recently.