CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati announced on Tuesday it had signed former FC Montreal defender, Mélé Temguia for the 2017 season, pending league and federation approval.

“We are incredibly excited to add Mélé to our group,” said FCC Head Coach Alan Koch. “For a younger player, he has an excellent understanding of the game. He is a big, strong defender who has the technical ability to allow us to build from the back. He is joining a quality group of defenders and his presence will add to the healthy competition that will drive our team forward.”

The 6-foot-2 Temguia, a native of Darmstadt, Germany, played for FC Montreal in 2015 and 2016. In his first year with the club in 2015, he was voted to the USL Team of the Week twice after totaling 1,494 minutes in 19 appearances. Last season, Temguia saw limited action, playing in four games.