Gege Soriola Joins Montreal Impact

Gege Soriola, a Nigerian defender, has signed with the Montreal Impact. The club announced the move in a press release Tuesday afternoon.

The details of the deal are not known, but it is rumoured that it was a free signing.

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The 25-year-old was signed from the Free State Stars of the Premier Soccer League in South Africa. Soriola spent the past three seasons with the South African squad and has played with Nigerian teams JUTH F.C., Bayelsa United F.C. and Heartland in the past.

Soriola also has some international experience. He’s represented Nigeria at both the U-23 and senior levels. He made his senior team debut in 2012 and has earned eight caps since.

Although he is listed simply as ‘defender’, when you look at his size (listed at 6’2″, 175lbs.), one has to think he fits best as a centre back. The Impact’s two usual centre backs are Matteo Ferrari and Heath Pearce. The latter has been nursing an injury in recent weeks and head coach Frank Klopas has been rotating Ferrari’s partner in the middle.

Soriola could hop right in to the lineup, but it’s more likely he will see some time in the Reserve League before he cracks the first team.

The other centre backs on the Montreal roster are the aforementioned Ferrari and Pearce, as well as Adrian Lopez (long-term injured list), Karl Ouimette, Wandrille Lefèvre and Mamadou Danso.

Soriola is the 15th signing the Impact have made his season and the third since Sporting Director Nick De Santis was relieved of his functions on July 29th.

You can follow Gege Soriola on Twitter – @soriola1. However, he has not been active since June.