MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Thursday that FC Montreal midfielder Louis Béland-Goyette has signed a first-team contract as an MLS Homegrown Player, starting with the 2017 season.

Béland-Goyette, 21, is returning to the first team after signing his first professional contract with the Impact on September 12, 2014, making his MLS debut the following day against the Revolution in New England.

In the last two seasons, he has captained FC Montreal in the USL, appearing in a total of 41 games and 3,256 minutes, including 38 starts, and recording four goals and one assist. He won the USL Goal of the Month last August and was also named on the USL Team of the Week once.

“We are excited to add Louis to our roster for next season. He has done very well with FC Montreal this past season and has developed well over the course of two seasons with FC Montreal,” said Montreal Impact technical director Adam Braz. “He has shown that he also deserved a spot within the first team. He’s a central midfielder with a good understanding of the game and good range of passing.”

“This is a new step in my career for which I am very happy and excited,” said midfielder Louis Béland-Goyette. “This is a reward for much work and determination. My situation wasn’t easy, but I managed to show the character that I have. I want to thank the FC Montreal and Academy staff that has shown confidence in me and helped me develop both as a person and as a player.”

A native of Pointe-Claire, he joined the Impact Academy in September 2011, playing with the U18, U21 and U23 teams. He registered two assists in eight games and 566 minutes in 2014 in the PDL and also played in three MLS Reserve League games.

On the international scene, Béland-Goyette played two games with the Canadian U23 national team at the Pan American Games as well as four games with the U20 at the CONCACAF U20 Championship in Montego Bay, Jamaica, in 2015. He has also played with the U18 selection.

Transaction: Montreal Impact signs Louis Béland-Goyette to a Homegrown Player contract on November 10, 2016, for the 2017 season.

LOUIS BÉLAND-GOYETTE

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 147 lbs

Date of birth: September 15, 1995, Montréal, Québec

Place of residence: Pointe-Claire, Québec

Previous team: FC Montreal

Date acquired: November 10, 2016