TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Re-signed
The Montreal Impact have re-signed center back Rod Fanni, the club announced Monday. Fanni's contract option was declined earlier this offseason before player and club reached an agreement.
Fanni, 38, originally joined the club in 2018 where he made 26 starts, though didn't re-join Montreal until August of 2019. He made three appearances before the regular season ended.
“We are happy to count on this experienced defender for the season to come,” sporting director Olivier Renard said in a club statement. “He proved last season that he can still play at this level and his professionalism will benefit the young players in the group.”
The Impact struggled defensively in 2019, conceding 60 goals and missing the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Last month, the club appointed legend Thierry Henry as head coach as the club look to return to the playoffs.
Currently, Fanni is just the fifth defender on the active roster. The experienced defender played 362 games in Ligue 1, France's top flight, with RC Lens, OGC Nice, Stade Rennais and Olympique de Marseille. He was named to the Ligue 1 team of the season in both 2009 and 2010. He made five appearances with the French national team.
The Impact begin their season in mid-February in the Concacaf Champions League, which they qualified for by winning the Canadian Championship. They face Costa Rican side Saprissa in the Round of 16.
