At 16-years-old, he becomes the youngest player from the club to join the MLS team
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Wednesday that Academy defender Keesean Ferdinand signed his first professional contract, agreeing to an off-roster Homegrown Player deal with the club for 2020 and 2021 with an option to extend for future years. At 16-years-old, he becomes the youngest player from the club to join the MLS team.
“We are glad to see another young player from the Academy sign his first professional contract this year,” said Montreal Impact Sporting Director Olivier Renard. “Keesean is a player that can play in the middle and on both sides of the defense, like he showed during training camp in Florida.”
Ferdinand, who was playing with the Impact U19, joined the Academy in 2014, aged 10, playing first with the Impact U11 in the Pre-Academy. He becomes the first player to go through the Impact Pre-Academy system to sign a contract with the first team and the 19th Homegrown player to sign with the first team. Previously, he was playing with Montreal amateur club Panellinios.
“A dream I’ve had since I was young comes true,” said Keesean Ferdinand. “Every hour on the field, every duel won, every loss and every win helped me grow and improve. Realising that the club that formed me trusts me at a young age is the proof that everything is possible if you are determined and if you have a good work ethic.”
Ferdinand took part in the first team training camp in Florida at the beginning of the year. He also represented Canada at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil, in 2019.
Transaction: The Montreal Impact signed Homegrown player Keesean Ferdinand to an off-roster first-team contract on June 17, 2020.
KEESEAN FERDINAND
Position: Defender
Height: 6’
Weight: 159 lbs
Birthdate: August 17, 2003
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Place of residence: Rivière-des-Prairies, Quebec, Canada
Previous team: Impact U19
Date acquired: June 17, 2020
