Latest news with #EfrainMorales
Edmonton Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
CF Montreal pledges rebuild in open letter
Article content MONTREAL — CF Montreal has started its rebuild quickly. Article content The Major League Soccer club announced Wednesday that it has acquired 21-year-old defender Efrain Morales from Atlanta United in return for US$450,000 in 2025 general allocation money (GAM) and $350,000 in conditional GAM. Article content Atlanta would also retain a percentage of a future transfer involving Morales Article content Article content The move came hours after club executives published an open letter to fans that acknowledged the team's shortcomings and stated the club would begin a new chapter rooted in ambition, pride and winning. Article content Article content President and CEO Gabriel Gervais, managing director of recruitment and sporting methodology Luca Saputo and managing director of academy strategy and roster management Simone Saputo signed the letter. Montreal is currently languishing at the bottom of the MLS with a 3-15-6 record — for 15 points in 24 games — and dropped out of the Canadian Championship with a quarterfinal loss to lower-tier Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League in a bleak season. Article content The letter said supporters would see concrete steps toward a rebuild in the upcoming transfer windows. The MLS summer window, which allows clubs to sign players plying their trades in other countries, opens Thursday. Article content Article content Montreal had the league's lowest payroll last season. Morales is making $112,019 this year, according to the website Article content Morales began his professional career in 2020 with Atlanta United 2, where he had three goals and an assist over three USL Championship seasons and three MLS Next Pro seasons. Article content He made his MLS debut with Atlanta in a 3-0 victory over the Charlotte Independence in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup on May 7, 2024. Article content Over two MLS seasons, Morales has played 648 minutes over nine games and picked up one assist. He also played in three U.S. Open Cup games. Article content 'We have not met the standards we set for ourselves, nor those you have the right to expect. That is why we felt the need to communicate with you directly today. Article content We share your dissatisfaction with the Club's results, and it is our responsibility to build a winning team that we can all be proud of. Article content That is why we have decided to undertake a rebuild and launch a new chapter at CF Montreal. A chapter based on ambition and pride. A new era with victory at the heart of our sporting ambitions, while also honouring our rich history and the connection with you, our 12th player. Article content We know that trust is regained through actions. As such, during the upcoming transfer windows, you will see concrete steps, a committed team, and strong initiatives aimed at rebuilding, together, a Club that deserves your loyalty.'
Montreal Gazette
6 days ago
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
CF Montréal acquires Efrain Morales from Atlanta United
Club de Foot Montreal CF Montréal announced on Wednesday it has acquired defender Efrain Morales from Atlanta United. Atlanta gets $450,000 in 2025 general allocation money and $350,000 in conditional GAM, and retains a percentage of a future transfer. 'We are thrilled to welcome Efrain to Montreal,' said Luca Saputo, CF Montréal's managing director of recruitment and sporting methodology, in a statement released by the team. 'He is a defender that possesses great athletic qualities and who is able to initiate the play. We are confident that Efrain will bring his qualities to the squad and that he will become an important component of our defensive line, like he is showing with the Bolivian national team.' Morales, 21, was born in Decatur, Georgia, but plays for Bolivia internationally. He began his professional career with Atlanta United 2 in 2020. He has one assist in nine Major League Soccer games since May 7, 2024.
