The Montreal Impact announced on Thursday the acquisition of French center back Rudy Camacho, following a permanent transfer from Belgian club Waasland-Beveren. Camacho signed a four-year contract with the club using Targeted Allocation Money. He will join the club upon receiving his international transfer certificate and passing his medical.

“Rudy’s arrival is very important for the team’s central defense, even more so with the long-term injuries suffered by Zakaria Diallo and Kyle Fisher,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “He’s a solid defender, but he’s also good at starting the attack. He was quickly seduced by the challenge of MLS, despite numerous solicitations he received from other European clubs after two very good seasons in Belgium’s first division.”

“Rudy is a center back who is at a very good age for a player and comes here with a good amount of experience” added technical director Adam Braz. “With the unfortunate injuries to two of our central defenders, it was a priority to find reinforcements at the position. We are happy to welcome him into the group and look forward to his contributions on the field.”

Camacho, 27, joins the Impact after playing 2,700 minutes in all competitions in his 2017-18 season, starting 27 games in the Jupiler Pro League, Belgium’s first division, and three Belgian Cup games. He scored two goals and acted as team captain in his last eight games with the club.

He quickly established himself after arriving at Waasland-Beveren in July 2016, starting a total of 56 games in two seasons in the Jupiler Pro League, playing nearly 5,000 minutes. He also appeared in eight playoff games and five Belgian Cup games.

Originally from L'Arbresle, France, which is also the hometown of head coach Rémi Garde, he made his debut with AS Nancy’s reserve team, taking part in 52 games between 2010 and 2012. He then played 51 regular season games and one Coupe de France game with AS Lyon-Duchère in the Championnat national 2, from 2012 to 2014.

He finally joined CS Sedan Ardennes in 2014, helping the club earn its promotion to the French third division in 2014-15, after appearing in 27 games in the Championnat National 2 as well as one Coupe de France game. He then played 29 games in National and one Coupe de France game in 2015-16, as team captain.

Transaction: The Montreal Impact acquires defender Rudy Camacho, following a permanent transfer from Belgian club Waasland-Beveren. Camacho signed a four-year contract with the club using Targeted Allocation Money.

RUDY CAMACHO

Position: Defender

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 174 lbs

Birthdate and birthplace: March 5, 1991, in L'Arbresle, France

Citizenship: France

Last club: Waasland-Beveren (Belgium)

Date acquired: March 22, 2018