MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Friday that central defender Nelson Rivas will return for the 2014 season after signing a new contract with the club. As per Major League Soccer policy, details of the contract were not disclosed.
“We are extremely happy to have Nelson back next season,” said sporting director Nick De Santis. “After the retirement of Alessandro Nesta, it was important to have another centre back on the roster. We know he has not played a lot in his first two seasons but he has been healthy for months now. We have to do everything in our power to help him stay healthy going forward.”
“Nelson is still at a good age and is a player with power and strength,” added De Santis. “He also brings that intimidation factor on the field. He is very motivated and wants to prove that we have not made a mistake by signing him and that he can be a very good player in MLS.”
In 2013, Rivas missed the regular season following left knee surgery. He returned to action in the playoffs, starting in the MLS Eastern Conference Knockout Round game against Houston.
In 2012, he played 11 games, all as starter, logging 858 minutes in his first season with the Impact. He was twice selected to the MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week, for weeks 9 and 13-15.
The 30 year old Colombian was the first player to join the Impact in MLS, signing on October 2, 2011, following his time with the prestigious Italian club Inter Milan, from 2007 to 2011.
