MONTREAL — Landing Belgian defender Laurent Ciman took of bit of luck and some finesse with the salary cap by the Montreal Impact.
The former Standard Liege stalwart inked a three-year contract with the Major League Soccer team, but a key for Montreal was that the 29-year-old was not signed as a designated player.
Ciman got Standard to let him go on a free transfer on humanitarian grounds so he can get better treatment for his four-year-old daughter, who has autism.
"In Belgium they don’t have a lot for children who have problems," Ciman said in his first day at camp on Tuesday. "I talk about autism because that affects me, but there are other problems.
"I hope that it improves in the future and that they take note of what they have in Canada and the United States."
It is as though the experienced central defender from a high-calibre European league that Impact technical director Adam Braz was seeking just dropped out of the sky. The Impact appear to have landed him at a bargain, although his salary was not disclosed.
"He’s made a lot of sacrifices to come here," said Braz, adding the club was contacted by an agent about Ciman about six weeks ago. "It was a family decision.
"We also were able to tie him up to a three-year deal, which helps us. And with the way we can use allocation money to buy down certain contracts, it’s a great signing for us. You can tell he wants to be here and he’ll do everything to become a leader and an integral part of our team."
MLS clubs have undisclosed amounts of allocation money, which can be added to contracts without counting against the salary cap. There is also an option year on Ciman’s deal.
Each team is allowed three designated players, who can be paid as much as a team wants with only a part of it counting against the cap. Montreal’s only DP is midfielder Ignacio Piatti, but at least one more is expected.
Ciman left Standard by scoring the winning goal in a 2-0 win over rival Anderlecht on Sunday.
Now he’s ready to take on MLS.
"I have to get settled on the team, and learn some things," he said. "I have a lot of experience but I still have a lot to learn.
"It was difficult in the sense that my club there, Standard, was my family. I felt at home there. So of course, you feel a little sad to leave. But MLS to me is the same or even a little stronger than the Belgian league, so I feel I’m taking a step forward in my career."
