MONTREAL — The Montreal Impact acquired Italian striker Matteo Mancosu on loan for one year from Bologna of Serie A, the Major League Soccer club announced Thursday.
Mancosu, 31, who will be with Montreal until next June 30, began last season with Bologna and played the second half of the season on loan to Carpi FC. He had two goals in 21 games and added a goal against A.C. Milan in an Italian Cup quarter-final match.
He was with the team when it travelled to Salt Lake for a game on Saturday.
"We are happy to add another experienced striker to our roster," Impact technical director Adam Braz said in a release. "He is someone who will complement our other attacking players and provide another attacking option for the second half of the season and beyond."
The five-foot-10 Mancosu was the top scorer in Serie B in 2013-14 with 26 goals in 40 games for Trapani Calcio.
The following season he had 10 goals in 19 games for Trapani before he was acquired by Bologna in January, 2015, where he played 15 games and helped the club earn promotion to Serie A.
He has also played for Italian clubs Atletico Calcio, Nuorese, Villacidrese, Latina and Vigor Lamezia.
The Impact were looking for a forward to help ease the transition when Didier Drogba’s contract expires at the end of the season, although 38-year-old Drogba has not said yet whether he plans to retire.
Impact president and owner Joey Saputo is also majority shareholder and chairman of Bologna FC.
