Victor Wanyama joins Montreal Impact - Becomes fifth most valuable player in MLS

Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact have signed midfielder Victor Wanyama from Tottenham Hotspur. Both clubs confirmed the deal on Tuesday as Wanyama has signed a contract that will keep him in MLS for the next three years. With a market value of $13.2 million, Wanyama becomes the fifth most valuable player in the league. 

"We wish Wanyama all the best for the future," Tottenham said in an official statement. The 28-year-old Kenyan national team player has struggled for playing time this season and played just two games in the Premier League and one game in the UEFA Champions League. 

“I’m really happy to join an exciting club like the Montreal Impact,” said the new Impact Designated Player, Victor Wanyama in a Montreal Impact club statement. “MLS continues to grow every season and I’m looking forward to bringing further awareness to this team, city, and league across Africa. ... I think the Saputo family and the management team in Montreal have a great plan in place and I am hoping I can make a great contribution to the success of this project.”

In their club statement, Montreal Impact announced that Wanyama will join the club on a free transfer. A surprising development, last summer Tottenham rejected a $15 million offer from Club Brugge. According to a report by the London Evening Standard in January, Spurs tried to sell the midfielder for $10 million in the winter but no club showed interest.

It now appears that Montreal were able to sign Wanyama on a free deal. Although Transfermarkt heard from at least one source that some sort of fee could have been paid. Regardless the midfielder adds some significant depth to the Impact's midfield that lost DP player Ignacio Piatti just a few weeks ago.

Wanyama's arrival means Montreal almost double their squad value from $18.15 million to now $31.35 million. “Victor is an important player with a great career,” said Sporting Director Olivier Renard in a club statement. “His undeniable experience will also help support the young players and help them progress.”

Wanyama, however, is a very different player to Piatti. The defensive midfielder will add power and experience to the central core of the midfield ahead of a long MLS season and hopefully a deep run in the Concacaf Champions League where they will face Honduran side Olimpia in the quarterfinals.