MONTREAL – Frank Klopas has spoken to Olivier Occean.
The Canadian international forward, currently under contract with Kaiserslautern in the German second division, remains on the Montreal Impact’s radar. And as was the case in March when MLSsoccer.com spoke to sporting director Nick De Santis, the interest is mutual, Klopas confirmed on Tuesday morning.
“We’re looking to add depth there, not only now but for the future," Klopas told reporters. “He’s a player that brings something different. He’s a bigger guy, he looks to run behind, he has more of a presence in the box.
“There’s definitely an interest from his part and from us,” Klopas continued.
With the changing circumstances from March to July, a move for Occean would make even more sense. The Impact spent their training camp with a one-forward system in mind, Nick De Santis had pointed out last winter, but there’s been a shift in Montreal’s game with the Marco Di Vaio-Jack McInerney partnership coming together.
“We play with two on top,” Klopas said. “I know Santi [Gonzalez]’s there, but we need maybe another piece to add some depth.”
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Occean, a 32-year-old native of Brossard, Quebec, told the Canadian Press on Monday that he was hoping for a long-term deal in Montreal, where he’d like to end his playing days. Offers have come in from Germany and Turkey for Occcan, who Kaiserslautern would be ready to let go on a free, but the player is waiting for Montreal’s move.
“I still have many years of soccer to offer,” Occcan told the CP. “I’d like to play in front of my family and everyone I know, as well as show Montrealers that I’m a good player.”
