Dominic Iankov met his new teammates and then had to undergo the grueling circular shuttle race. Some Montrealers are warmer than others.
After hearing around ten whistles from physical trainer Barthélémy Delecroix and after completing a few laps of the field at the Marie-Victorin CEGEP sports complex, Iankov decided that he had given enough. “It was my first day of training and it was difficult, especially on this artificial turf,” said the midfielder on Wednesday. But it was good to prepare us. »
Born in Toronto but wearing the colors of Bulgaria on the international scene, Iankov signed a three-year contract, with two option years, with CF Montreal on Monday. He was acquired from Bulgarian first division club Ludogoretz Razgrad using targeted allocation money.
Aged 23, Iankov said that the Bleu-Blanc-Noir had had his eye on him for two years already and that the team began negotiations with him two months ago. After winning five titles in Bulgaria, from 2019 to 2023, the midfielder was ripe for new challenges. “I had been in Bulgaria for several years and I felt like it was time to go to another country and have another challenge,” Iankov explained. It’s an amazing feeling, wearing this sweater. I feel very good to be back in Canada. I just met the guys and everyone was very nice to me. »
Iankov began his career with the Power FC academy in Toronto before joining Sunderland in England in 2013. He then rose through the ranks at Ludogoretz Razgrad, where he recorded 15 goals and 14 assists. decisive goals in 128 matches.
For the average soccer fan who does not have the opportunity to follow what is happening in Bulgaria, statistics alone mean nothing. Iankov, however, assures that he and his team were regularly put to the test in a good league. “The first division in Bulgaria is good. It’s a league that provides a good challenge, he said. It was difficult for our team because we were always the champions, so all our opponents gave 100% in every match. I wanted to come to MLS because the level of play is very good. »
Billing himself as an attacking midfielder who likes to score goals, Iankov could lend a helping hand to an anemic attack in 2023. With 36 goals in 34 games, the team found itself tied, at fourth, for the worst total in MLS.
Now that the new head coach of CF Montreal, Laurent Courtois, seems to want to impose a more offensive and “risky” style of play, Iankov – and Bryce Duke, among others – will have the mandate to create more quality chances for the young group of attackers in front of him.
“There are several fantastic young players here who have a lot of potential. I just want to adapt as quickly as possible and hope I can bring out the best in myself to help the club and make the fans happy. The position of number 10 [milieu de terrain créatif et offensif]this is my usual position, but I will play where the coach tells me to play,” Iankov emphasized.
A three-year deal for Cóccaro
Furthermore, CF Montreal’s biggest open secret was finally revealed on Wednesday afternoon.
The club announced that it had acquired striker Matías Cóccaro through a transfer from CA Huracan, in the Argentine first division. The 26-year-old Uruguayan signed a three-year deal plus two option years.
Cóccaro arrived in Montreal last weekend and some fans even welcomed him at the airport. Earlier Wednesday, he trained with his new teammates, who were not officially teammates, according to MLS procedures.
The Montreal team published a photo on the X platform, suggesting that the agreement would be confirmed in the coming hours.
Cóccaro began his professional career in 2018 with Rampla Juniors Futbol Club, in the Uruguayan first division. After a stint with Villa Teresa and Montevideo City Torque, the man nicknamed El Zorro made his mark with CA Huracan.
With the Argentine team, he amassed 31 goals and 7 assists in 110 matches.