TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Signing
The Montreal Impact have turned to the Canadian Premier League in boosting their defense, as the club announced Tuesday that they've signed center back Joel Waterman via transfer from Cavalry FC. He joins on a two-year contract, with options for 2022 and 2023.
“We are happy to welcome Joel to the Impact,” said Montreal sporting director Olivier Renard. “He’s a center back that can play every position in a three- or four-man defensive line, and also as a defensive midfielder. He’s a player with the right mentality, and he comes to Montreal following a good season in CPL.”
The move was reported earlier in the day by OneSoccer's Kurt Larson, and Waterman was included on the club's 28-player training camp roster before the signing was made official.
Waterman, 23, helped Cavalry FC finish atop the CPL's Spring and Fall season standings, plus played in 25 regular-season games and three Canadian Championship ones. Before being selected by Calgary in the second round of the 2019 CPL U-Sports Draft, Waterman played at Trinity Western University.
The signing gives Montreal six defenders, and arrives shortly after head coach Thierry Henry said they plan to add defensive reinforcements. More will need to arrive soon, as preseason camp is underway in preparation for a Concacaf Champions League Round-of-16 tie at Deportivo Saprissa on Feb. 19.
