The Montreal Impact have added an experienced midfield reinforcement ahead of the 2015 season and their appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.
Montreal announced on Monday that they have signed 31-year-old Italian defensive midfielder Marco Donadel. Prior to joining the Impact, Donadel had played his entire career in Italy, appearing in 244 games with six clubs in Serie A from 2001-14. The veteran trained with the Impact near the end of the 2014 season.
Donadel spent the bulk of his career at Fiorentina, playing 184 league games for La Viola from 2005-11. The former Italian youth international left Fiorentina for Napoli in 2011 but never saw much time, eventually getting sent on loan to Hellas Verona, where he played 22 games last season.
“We are pleased to add Marco to our roster,” said Impact head coach and director of player personnel Frank Klopas in a club statement. “He will bring a lot of experience and leadership to our team, as well as quality in the middle of the field. He has the right mentality and character going forward for next season and Champions League.”
Donadel will officially join the Impact’s roster on Jan. 1, pending outstanding paperwork. He will be available for Montreal’s Champions League quarterfinal series against Mexican club Pachuca, which begins on Feb. 24.
“I am very pleased with this opportunity to join the Impact,” said Donadel in the statement. “Since the first training session in Montreal, the club made me feel like a part of their family. Throughout this process, I felt like the Impact really wanted me to be a part of the team. I would like to thank all those who helped make this possible. I am really looking forward to January to get this adventure started.”
