
CF Montréal Acquires Canadian International Alistair Johnston
Published on December 27, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club de Foot Montreal News Release
MONTREAL - CF Montréal announced Monday the acquisition of defender and Canadian international Alistair Johnston from Nashville SC in return for $750,000 in General Allocation Money in 2022 and $250,000 in General Allocation Money in 2023. Nashville SC could receive an additional 10% in transfer fee over the initial amount paid of $1M. Johnston also signed a new two-season deal with the Club, including two option years in 2024 and 2025.
"We are pleased to welcome this young Canadian who had a strong desire to join the Club," said CF Montréal Sporting Director Olivier Renard. "Beyond his footballing qualities, Alistair has demonstrated an exemplary mindset with the Canadian national team. He is a versatile defender who can play both as a right-back as well as part of a three-man defence. We will continue closely working with him to further his progression. We are delighted to welcome him to the team."
Born in Vancouver, Johnston's family moved to Montreal when he was four years old during which time he played for the Lakeshore Soccer Club. The family subsequently moved to Aurora, Ontario, when Johnston was seven. From 2015 to 2019, he played with Vaughan SC, playing 17 matches, including 15 starts. He was then drafted by Nashville SC with the 11th overall pick of the MLS 2020 SuperDraft.
In two seasons with Nashville, the 23-year-old played 44 games, earning 39 starts and 3,510 minutes of game time. He also collected one goal and two assists. In 2021, Johnston was part of a defensive unit that conceded just 33 goals and registered 13 shutouts, tied for first in MLS. Johnston also featured in five playoff matches, all starts, and totaled 525 minutes of play, helping the Tennessee club reach the Eastern Conference semifinals twice.
Johnston received his first senior call-up with the Canadian men's national team on March 23, 2021. He saw the pitch for the first time in a 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Bermuda on March 25. He scored his first international goal and assist in the following qualifier against the Cayman Islands on March 29, 2021. He has 13 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches under his belt, including 11 starts. Johnston also earned five starts in as many games for Canada last summer in the 2021 Gold Cup.
Transaction: CF Montréal acquired defender and Canadian international Alistair Johnston from Nashville SC in return for $750,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2022, and $250,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2023. Nashville SC could receive an additional 10% in transfer fee over the initial amount paid of $1M. Johnston also signed a new two-season deal with the Club, including two option years in 2024 and 2025.
ALISTAIR JOHNSTON
Position: defender
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 170 lbs
Birthdate: October 8, 1998
Place of birth: Vancouver, British Columbia
Citizenship: Canada
Previous Club: Nashville SC
Acquired: December 27, 2021
Major League Soccer Stories from December 27, 2021
- Nashville Soccer Club Receives $1,000,000 in General Allocation Money from CF Montréal in Exchange for Alistair Johnston - Nashville SC
- CF Montréal Acquires Canadian International Alistair Johnston - Club de Foot Montreal
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