Impact Announce Bassong Signing

As covered by mountroyalsoccer.com on a story ran on Sunday, Montreal Impact yesterday announced the signing of 21-year-old left-back, Zorhan Bassong, who was brought up in Longueuil.

Bassong, 21, has been a free agent since being released by Cercle Bruges earlier this year. The Belgian club, not to be confused with the better known Club Bruges, are the city’s second team and perennial strugglers in Belgium’s First Division A.

He’s already a Canadian full international, earning his first full cap for Canada in January, playing in the 4-1 victory over Barbados in Irvine, California and followed that up with an appearance in the 0-1 defeat to Iceland at the same venue five days later.

Bassong, who came across with confidence and maturity during a video-conference yesterday, has been secured on a 2-year contract, with a further 2-year option.

The acquisition will be confirmed upon receipt of Bassong’s international transfer and a successful medical.

Bassong said that he knew the Impact was the right club for him for two reasons; that he could come home to continue his career and upon listening to Olivier Renard who impressed upon the youngster how the Impact was intending to give opportunities to young talent.

In simple terms, he liked the project that was presented to him.

Renard for his part said the club has had an agreement for some time with the 5-foot-9 Bassong, but held off in fear of upsetting other players in his position.

The Sporting Director said he’s impressed with the prospect’s versatility, since he can play left- or right-back, or even centre-back in a three-man back line.

“He’s shown a great desire to come back here and he’s delighted with the club’s project,”

Meanwhile, it has finally been confirmed the Impact will play its return leg of its Champions League quarter-final against CD Olimpia on Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. in Orlando, Florida. Montreal trails the two-game, aggregate-goal series 2-1, having lost the opener at Olympic Stadium in February.