The days of Quebec midfielder Mathieu Choinière in the CF Montreal uniform are numbered.
In reviewing the recent MLS transfer window, Bleu-blanc-noir president and CEO Gabriel Gervais confirmed that Choinière was on the verge of leaving for Europe.
“Mathieu wasn’t at training this morning because we’re finalizing a transfer to Europe. We’re in the final stages and that’s why he’s not here,” Gervais said Tuesday afternoon at the Nutrilait Center.
Reputable insider Tom Bogert reported last Wednesday that CF Montreal was close to an agreement with Grasshopper Club Zurich, which plays in the Swiss Super League. Financial details were not specified by Gervais on Tuesday.
This transfer will therefore draw a line under the saga of several months surrounding Choinière.
In May, Bogert reported that the 25-year-old Quebecer requested a transfer to leave the team responsible for his development since 2011, when he joined CF Montreal’s Academy.
At the time, Choinière had not confirmed or refuted the rumors, but they clearly shook the organization somewhat. This issue was also not unrelated to the departure of Olivier Renard, the club’s former vice-president and head of sports management.
Choinière then made a strong showing with Canada at the Copa America, and he represented Montreal at the MLS All-Star Game. However, his performances had not been optimal for a few weeks, in the heart of this whirlwind.
The end seems abrupt and heartbreaking, but Gervais assures that he tried everything to keep one of CF Montreal’s headliners within the club.
“I have no regrets [par rapport à la situation]he said. Our goal was to keep him here. We made Mathieu a competitive offer that matched his talent. I was very comfortable with that. He had this opportunity to go play in Europe, and Mathieu had the choice. It was a dream for him and it’s his decision. We have no regrets, because we did everything to keep him.”
Choinière should therefore finish his career with the Bleu-blanc-noir having played 119 matches in the MLS, including 89 starts. He amassed 11 goals and 10 assists.
Developed within the CF Montreal Academy until he signed a first professional contract with the team in 2018, Choinière wrote a beautiful story of determination.
After being used more regularly in 2019, for a total of 681 minutes, Choinière did not make any appearances on the field in 2020. It was with the arrival of Wilfried Nancy as head coach of the Montreal team in 2021 that he began to act like a real Swiss army knife.
Under Nancy’s tutelage, the Quebecer scored four goals and one assist in 52 games, but he really blossomed when Hernan Losada took the reins of the Bleu-blanc-noir in 2023. Choinière had five goals and five assists to receive the club’s offensive player of the year award.
“He’s really the perfect example of what we’re trying to build here,” Gervais insisted. “It’s building dreams for young people. It was Mathieu’s dream to climb the ladder, to play for the first team, to make his way to the national team and play in Europe. He’s always going to be a great ambassador for us.”
Choinière was still under contract until 2025, while CF Montreal could exercise an option year after the 2024 season.
He will become the latest player from the Montreal team to change addresses in recent weeks. Ariel Lassiter, Ruan and Mason Toye have all been traded elsewhere in MLS.