The Montreal Impact are trying to climb back into the Eastern Conference race, and Frank Klopas has brought in a familiar face in that quest: Krzysztof Krol.
Montreal announced on Thursday that they have come to terms with the Polish left back and former Chicago Fire man – who had been trialing with the Quebec side – as reinforcements for the rest of the 2014 season.
Klopas brought Krol into Fire camp in 2010 when the now-Impact head coach was Chicago's technical director. Krol, now 27, played 22 games in all competitions for the Fire in 2010 while on loan from Polish first-division club Jagiellonia Bialystok.
He comes to Montreal from Polish club Piast Gliwice. All told, Krol has played more than 100 games in the Polish Ekstraklasa.
Krol has also spent time in the Moldovan first division, helping FC Sheriff Tiraspol win a league and cup double in 2012-13. Earlier in his career, he spent two seasons with Real Madrid Castilla, the reserve team of the current European champions.
At the international level, Krol played for the Polish Under-20 national team, taking part in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.
As per MLS policy, details of the deal were not disclosed. Following the signing, the Impact have waived defender Mechack Jérôme, whom they signed three weeks ago.
Montreal have been busy during the World Cup break, signing Spanish midfielder Gorka Larrea, trading left back Jeb Brovsky to expansion New York City FC and parting ways with center back Nelson Rivas. They also acquired veteran center back Futty Danso in a deal with Portland.
They are expected to lose holding midfielder Hernán Bernadello to Liga MX side Cruz Azul.
