MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Tuesday that Serge Dinkota has been named head coach of the club’s U13 team as well as video analyst for the Academy.

Dinkota, originally from the Quebec City region, played for the club from 2008 to 2011. He wore the jerseys of the Trois-Rivières Attak for two seasons, winning the Canadian Soccer League title in 2009, as well as the Impact U21 in 2010 and 2011. He also played for the University of Laval Rouge et Or up until March 2013.

Dinkota most recently had a teaching internship in England for 10 months, where he also received coaching training that earned him a recommendation to earn a UEFA B licence.

“I am very proud to return to the club that I have always had a special place for,” explained Dinkota. “I am now realizing one of my career objectives, where I’ll have the opportunity to work with talented young soccer players on a daily basis. It’s definitely a small dream come true. I would like to thank my family, as well as Fergus Brett, Christophe Blin and Philippe Eullaffroy whom have all helped me get to where I am today.”

“We are pleased to have Serge join our coaching staff with the Academy,” said Philippe Eullaffroy, Academy director. “He has a number of good qualities, he’s creative and has the skills we were looking for. In addition, his experience as an Academy player will help ease his transition into the group, understanding the values we share within the club.”

Dinkota will officially join the coaching staff at the Academy in the next few days. The U13 team returns to the pitch on August 5 as the players are currently on scholastic summer break.

Note that Serge Dinkota will be replacing Antoine Guldner, who will fully focus on his responsibilities as Mental Health coach with the Academy.