The Montreal Impact made their first move of the 2017 season on Thursday, when they announced that they’ve signed FC Montreal midfielder Louis Béland-Goyette to a Homegrown contract set to begin in 2017.
Béland-Goyette, 21, is returning to the Impact’s first team after signing his first professional contract with Montreal in September 2014. He played one match with the Impact in 2014 but was removed from the first team roster in March 2015 to be added to the roster of FC Montreal, the Impact’s USL club.
He captained FC Montreal for the last two seasons, appearing in a total of 41 games and recording four goals and one assist.
"We are excited to add Louis to our roster for next season. He has done very well with FC Montreal this past season and has developed well over the course of two seasons with FC Montreal," Impact technical director Adam Braz said a statement released by the club. "He has shown that he also deserved a spot within the first team. He's a central midfielder with a good understanding of the game and good range of passing."
A native of Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Béland-Goyette joined the Impact Academy in September 2011, spending time with the U-18, U-21 and U-23 teams and earning caps with the Canadian U-18, U-20 and U-23 national teams.
"This is a new step in my career for which I am very happy and excited," Béland-Goyette said in the statement. "This is a reward for much work and determination. My situation wasn't easy, but I managed to show the character that I have. I want to think the FC Montreal and Academy staff that has shown confidence in me and helped me develop both as a person and as a player."
