Grande, Joqueviel And Brillant Back With Impact
Published on November 27, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact announced Thursday that midfielders Sandro Grande (three years) and Félix Brillant (two years), as well as defender Cédric Joqueviel (three years) have come to terms with the club, pending league's approval.
"I'm very excited to stay with the Impact and to be able to continue playing in Montreal," said Sandro Grande. "Nothing compares to playing for your own city. My main goal now will be to concentrate on the upcoming season, although I'm also looking forward to contributing to the success of the team during the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals."
Grande, 31, from Montreal, returned with the Impact on August 6 after a stay in Europe. The club's free kick specialist scored one goal in six regular season games (408 minutes), September 5 against the Minnesota Thunder. He helped the Impact qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League quarter finals, playing six games (493 minutes) in the tournament, of which five in the group stage.
"It was important to have Sandro (Grande) back with us for three years following his long stay abroad," said Impact Technical Director Nick De Santis. "He has shown signs of being a valuable player. He brings something different to the team and he is certainly one of our key elements."
Brillant, 28, joined the Impact on July 30, while he was without a contract. The Brossard native also helped the team move up in the USL First Division standings. In 11 games, including four starts, Brillant tallied five points, all on August 24, in a 3-1 win against Atlanta. He also took part in six of the eight games (365 minutes) that the Impact played in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Joqueviel, 26, played the full 2008 season with the Impact after playing with the Montreal Impact reserve club the Trois-Rivières Attak, the previous year. During the absence of Gabriel Gervais due to injuries, he played an important role as central defender with Nevio Pizzolitto and Stefano Pesoli. Joqueviel, a Montpellier native (France), started 18 of the 19 regular season games (1,640 minutes) he played in 2008. He also played four games (199 minutes) in the CONCACAF Champions League.
"Cédric (Joqueviel) showed lots of good things in his first year in the league, which is positive for the future," added De Santis. "In Félix's case, his return in 2009 will put to test his ability to show continuity during a full season. We trust that these players can add a lot to the team."
"We are happy to have three players who are not only very good, but who were with us last year," noted Impact head coach John Limniatis. "This will ensure continuity within the roster. They have all proven to be very useful to the team. We are looking forward to having them and especially to see them contribute to the success of the team."
USL First Division Stories from November 27, 2008
- Grande, Joqueviel And Brillant Back With Impact - Montreal Impact
- Impact Extends Its Stay-In-School Program - Montreal Impact
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