The Montreal Impact weren't joking when they said they could sign a defender before the end of the transfer window.
The Impact announced on Friday morning the acquisition of Spanish center back Adrián López Rodríguez, a move that comes just days after sporting director Nick De Santis said Montreal were set to make a move to bolster their backline. The signing, which comes three days after Montreal signed midfielder Hernán Bernardello as a Designated Player, will be made official once the club receives López's international transfer certificate.
As per league policy, details of the contract were not disclosed.
Nicknamed "Piscu," the 26-year-old López joins Montreal after spending last season with Wigan Athletic. He joined the Premiership club in December 2010, playing in 11 league games in his two-and-a-half seasons with the Latics while helping them to their first ever FA title in 2012-13.
“We are very excited to have acquired Adrián, who played in top leagues like England and Spain,” De Santis said in a statement released by the club. “López is at a very good age and is very motivated to join the club. He will be an important part of our defensive line now, but also for the future. We have a good group so it was not an easy decision to add players but the personalities of López and Bernardello give us that chance as they will both fit in well.”
Prior to joining Wigan, López played his first two pro seasons with Spanish side Deportivo de La Coruña. He played 26 games in La Liga, made 10 appearances in the Copa del Rey, and played in six games in the UEFA Cup.
