Defender Hicham Aaboubou Returns in 2011
Published on January 13, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL ¬" The Montreal Impact announced Thursday that central defender Hicham Aaboubou has agreed to a new one-year deal with the club.
Aaboubou, a 31-year-old Canadian resident and native of Morocco, will play his fourth season with the Impact in 2011. After playing just 17 matches in 2007 and 2009, Aaboubou solidified his spot on the team ¬â¢s defensive line last season. In 2010, he played 24 regular season matches, all as a starter (2,123 minutes), reaching the 2,000-minute mark for the first time in his career with Montreal. He also played the full 90 minutes in four playoff matches and two Nutrilite Canadian Championship matches.
¬ÅAfter the season he had last year, Hicham deserved to be back in 2011, ¬Â declared Impact technical director Nick De Santis. ¬ÅWhen Cédric Joqueviel and Stefano Pesoli left the team during the season, he played a very important role. Hicham demonstrated a high level of professionalism and has always been loyal to our club. ¬Â
¬ÅWe will have experience at central defense with the return of Nevio (Pizzolitto) and Hicham, which is important at that position, ¬Â added De Santis. ¬ÅWith the addition of a young central defender, we would be in excellent shape at that spot in 2011. ¬Â
¬ÅBeing a Montrealer, I ¬â¢m very happy to be staying with the Impact for another season, ¬Â said Aaboubou. ¬ÅI think I proved myself in 2010 and showed everyone that I have my place on this team. My objective is to have another good season in 2011 and prove that I can follow the team into MLS, but I ¬â¢m not looking to skip any steps. What I want is to win championships this coming season."
Team captain Nevio Pizzolitto accepted a one-year deal for 2011 on January 5. The Impact now has a total of 13 players under contract for this season, the club ¬â¢s final campaign in second division.
FIRST MATCH FOR U21 ACADEMY
The Impact ¬â¢s Under-21 Academy will play the first exhibition match of its training camp this Sunday at 4pm versus the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR) at the Alphonse Desjardins Sports Centre.
The U21 Academy, which starts its camp on January 3, expects to play a total of 14 pre-season matches.
Managed by head coach Philippe Eullaffroy, the club is preparing for its second season in the Canadian Soccer League, which kicks off in May.
North American Soccer League Stories from January 13, 2011
- Defender Hicham Aaboubou Returns in 2011 - Montreal Impact
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