Alberto Gilardino Could Be Joining The Montreal Impact

Alberto Gilardino could be on his way to Montreal to join the Impact.

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According to David Amoyal from GianlucaDimarzio.com, the Impact and the Italian striker are in contract talks.

The report also says that the two sides had been in talks in the past, but could never get a deal done.

The 32-year-old target man played in over 450 games in Italy’s Serie A and has found the back of the net 210 times over the course of his 15 year professional club career. Up to 2013, Gilardino played exclusively in Italy’s top flight, with big time clubs such as Parma, AC Milan, Fiorentina, and Genoa.

In 2014, with his contract up in Italy, Gilardino looked elsewhere to continue his playing career. The Impact were rumoured to be on his short list, but he eventually decided on going to China to join Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC.

During his time in Serie A, he was the league’s Footballer of the Year in 2005, and won the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup with Milan.

Gilardino has earned 57 national team caps from 2004 to 2013. He scored 19 goals over those nine years, including one in the 2006 World Cup.

I believe Gilardino would be an excellent fit in Montreal. The Impact have signed numerous high-profile Italian players in the past, such as Bernardo Corradi, Matteo Ferrari, Alessandro Nesta and, of course, Marco Di Vaio.

Next: Grading The Montreal Impact's 2014 Signings

While he is past his prime, Gilardino will bring flare to the Montreal lineup. The Impact are looking for a striker, as at the moment they only have two forwards on their roster, of which only one – Jack McInerney – has significant MLS experience.

Back when Di Vaio left, I asked who would replace him – both as a striker and the face of the franchise.

We may have our answer.

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