MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact announced on Tuesday that defender Zarek Valentin has been loaned to FK Bodø/Glimt, in the Norwegian second division (Adeccoligaen), for the 2013 season.
"Before any decision, we wanted to make sure that he was ready for this type of experience," said Impact sporting director Nick De Santis. "We feel that it can be beneficial for both parties. Zarek will continue to grow as a player in a new environment and culture and will practice soccer in a different way. It will be valuable for the club as well as he should get a lot of minutes and experience."
Valentin, 21, has not seen the field in 2013 with the Impact in regular season play. In 2012, he played 15 games for 1,116 minutes after being selected by the club in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft.
On Saturday, Valentin played in a friendly, playing the second half and assisting on his team’s only goal in a 1-1 draw with Tromsdalen. FK Bodø /Glimt continues its preparation for the start of its season on April 7.
Founded in 1916, the Norwegian club was runners-up for the Norwegian Premier League title on three occasions (1977, 1993 and 2003) and won two Norwegian Cups in 1975 and 1993. In 2012, the team finished the season in 5th place with a 13-8-9 record.
