Argentine midfielder to sign with San Lorenzo, his former club

MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Monday the termination of the contract of midfielder Nacho Piatti, following an agreement between all parties, allowing him to sign a new contract with first division Argentine club San Lorenzo, the club he played with before joining Montreal in 2014.

“I would like to thank Nacho, personally and on behalf of our club, for his six years with the Montreal Impact,” said owner and chairman Joey Saputo. “His professionalism, class and love for the sport, this club and this city have marked his time in Montreal. The thrilling moments he allowed us to experience and share through his play on the field will remain fixed in this club’s history, as will his status as one of the greatest players to wear the Impact jersey. I wish Nacho all the best in his return to his homeland and look forward to welcoming him back as an alumnus once his playing days are over.”

“While we had decided, collectively and in discussions with Nacho last year, that he would remain in Montreal for the 2020 season, he indicated to us at the start of the training camp that given his personal situation, he wished to return to Argentina to continue his soccer career and be close to his family,” said Montreal Impact sporting director, Olivier Renard. “With this new outcome and out of respect for Nacho and his family, we worked diligently with his representatives and Argentine club San Lorenzo to find a solution.”

Multiple records for Piatti

Named the Impact Most Valuable Player four times, from 2015 to 2018, and selected twice to the MLS Best XI, in 2016 and 2018, Piatti played six MLS seasons with the Impact, becoming the Impact’s all-time leading goalscorer in all competitions with 78 goals.

Piatti also ranks first in MLS club history with 130 regular-season starts, 11,427 minutes played, 66 goals, 35 assists, 15 penalty goals, 15 game-winning goals, 13 game-winning assists and 14 multi-goal games, 284 fouls suffered, 361 shots and 152 shots on goal, and second with 135 games played.

He also registered five goals and three assists in eight starts in the MLS Cup Playoffs, helping the club reach the Eastern Conference Final in 2016.

In the Concacaf Champions League in 2014-15, Piatti helped the team reach the final against Mexican giant Club América, recording two goals and one assist in 526 minutes played.

The Argentine took part in three MLS All-Star games, in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Transaction: The Montreal Impact terminated the contract of midfielder Nacho Piatti following an agreement between all parties, allowing him to sign a new contract with first division Argentine club San Lorenzo.