TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
- MTL receive: Alistair Johnston
- NSH receive: $1 million in General Allocation Money
UPDATE – Dec. 27, 3 pm ET: CF Montréal have officially acquired Canada international defender Alistair Johnston from Nashville SC in exchange for $1 million in General Allocation Money, the clubs announced Monday.
The deal includes Nashville retaining a 10% sell-on clause starting at $1 million should Johnston be transferred in the future. Johnston has also signed a new two-year deal with Montréal with options for the 2024 and 2025 campaigns.
“We are pleased to welcome this young Canadian who had a strong desire to join the club,” CF Montréal sporting director Olivier Renard said in a club statement. “Beyond his footballing qualities, Alistair has demonstrated an exemplary mindset with the Canadian national team. He is a versatile defender who can play both as a right-back as well as part of a three-man defense. We will continue closely working with him to further his progression. We are delighted to welcome him to the team.”
“We would like to thank Alistair for his contributions to our organization, and we wish him success in the next step of his journey with Montréal," added Nashville general manager Mike Jacobs.
ORIGINAL – Dec. 23, 2 pm ET: CF Montréal have acquired Canada men's national team defender Alistair Johnston in a trade with Nashville SC in exchange for $1 million in allocation money, sources confirm to MLSsoccer.com.
The Athletic's Sam Stejskal first reported the news.
Sources add that Nashville will retain a 10% sell-on percentage while Johnston and Montréal have agreed upon an improved, long-term contract extension.
Johnston, 23, was selected by Nashville in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft with the No. 13 overall pick and made 44 appearances with the club, a key member of their record-setting defensive unit. He's made 18 appearances for Canada after debuting in March 2021, starting all but one World Cup qualifier while chasing a Qatar 2022 spot.
The defender can play wingback or as a right-sided center back in a back three, the system the Montréal use under head coach Wilfried Nancy.
Johnston is the latest key trade acquisition by CFMTL. The club acquired defender Kamal Miller, midfielder Djordje Mihailovic and forwards Romell Quioto and Mason Toye via trades in recent seasons.
