MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Tuesday that the club has signed midfielder Hernán Bernardello as a Designated Player. The deal will be finalized upon reception of his international transfer certificate. As per MLS policy, details of the deal are not disclosed.

Hernán Bernardello, 26, made his professional debut in 2006 with Newell’s Old Boys, where he played his first three seasons and over 80 games in Argentina’s first division. On July 20, 2009, he signed a deal with UD Almeria, following a transfer fee of 3 million Euros, going on to play over 100 games in Spain's first and second divisions. He also took part in nine Copa Del Rey matches.

He was subsequently loaned out to Atletico Colon, where he scored one goal in 25 games, playing one game in the Copa Argentina and one match in the Copa Sud America. At the international level, he played one game with the Argentinean national team in 2009.

“We are very pleased to have finalized the acquisition of a player who has played at the highest levels,” noted Impact sporting director Nick De Santis. “He fits in well with the identity of the club and we believe he will play an important role for us moving forward. Hernán has consistently played between 25 and 30 games a season over his career. He is a player with great quality in midfield that covers a lot of ground, all while displaying great technical skills and great ability to relaunch attacks. He plays the game with a lot of passion and emotions.”

Bernardello becomes the second Designated Player on the roster after striker Marco Di Vaio.

Please note that a Designated Player’s salary does not exceed $368,750 on the team’s salary cap.

The team officially has 11 foreigner spots filled on its roster. Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez has been placed on the long-term injury list.

HERNÁN BERNARDELLO

Position: M

Height: 5’9"

Weight: 165 lbs.

Birth date: August 3, 1986 in Rosario, Argentina

Residence: Rosario, Argentina

Citizenship: Argentine

Acquisition: July 23, 2013

Experience: Newell’s Old Boys (Argentina), UD Almería (Spain), Atlético Colón (Argentina)