The Montreal Impact acquired midfielder Raheem Edwards and defender Jukka Raitala from Los Angeles FC on Tuesday in exchange for 2015 MLS defender of the year Laurent Ciman.
Edwards and Raitala were both selected by L.A. earlier in the day during the MLS Expansion Draft.
“After having analyzed the team’s defensive play during the last season, and by relying on internal reports, it seemed important to me to make some adjustments,” said Impact head coach Remi Garde. “It’s the first change in terms of departures, but other players will get added to the roster in the next few weeks.”
Edwards, 22, is a Canadian international that played in 21 games during Toronto FC’s MLS Cup-winning run this season. He had one goal and six assists for TFC and has two caps for Canada.
Raitala comes to the Impact from Columbus Crew SC where he played in 28 games this year. The 29-year-old started in 20 games and had two assists.
The left-back has also earned 39 caps for Finland.
“Jukka showed that he is capable of stepping into a new environment and contributing straight away. With Ambroise Oyongo’s probable departure, it was important for us to add an experienced left-back,” said Impact technical director Adam Braz. “Raheem is a young, versatile, and exciting Canadian international that will fit in nicely with our group. He is quick and crafty and poses a lot of problems for the opposition in the attacking third of the field.”
Ciman, 32, joined Montreal in 2015 and has been a key cog on the Impact’s back end. He started in 30 games this season and had one assist as Montreal failed to make the post-season.
Along with earned top defender honours in 2015, the Belgian was also named to the MLS Best XI and all-star game.
It’s the first major move for Garde as the Impact’s new head coach. He took over the club after Mauro Biello was fired at the end of the season.
Montreal shed salary in the deal, with Ciman making US$661,666 this season. Edwards earned $53,000 and Raitala $161,670.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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