French international Jimmy Briand will soon be continuing his career in new pastures. The mature attacker is set to leave France for Canada and will be arriving in Montreal to sign with the Impact later this week.
Briand’s latest club was EA Guingamp, where he was an important figure both on and off the pitch. Deployed primarily as a striker by manager Antoine Kombouaré, Briand scored a total of 30 goals in Ligue 1 over three years and also served as captain for the Breton outfit.
The well-rounded frontman will be bringing his leadership and offensive ability to a Montreal side in need of an attacking spark. Despite sitting in a promising fifth place position, the Impact have scored just 28 goals in 22 games. If Briand can link-up well with the talented Ignacio Piatti then the Montreal attack will produce a much-improved output.
An interesting aspect of this transfer is the impending reunion of Briand and Rémi Garde. Currently the manager of the Impact, Garde coached Briand from 2011 to 2014 when the two were at Olympique Lyon. Garde utilised Briand more out wide than through the middle, as the two went on to win the Coupe de France as well as the Trophée des Champions with Les Gones.
In spite of his age (32 going on 33) Briand will certainly have a lot to offer to a team looking to return to the MLS playoffs after a disappointing 2017 season.
