“Joey has shown great qualities when he joined the team in mid-season last year,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis, who will fly to Argentina, today, with Impact president Joey Saputo. “It will be nice to have him at the start of the season. He is an intelligent player with a great vision, who is bringing an offensive support to this team. He is one of the players around whom we want to build our nucleus.”
Gjertsen, a 25-year old American, was acquired from the Vancouver Whitecaps with midfielder David Testo before the July 30 roster freeze. Last year, he played a total of 29 games (2111 minutes) with Vancouver and Montreal, tallying three goals and six assists for 12 points. With five assists with Montreal, he ended the season in first place among Impact playmakers and third rank in the league. He was also chosen United Soccer Leagues First Division Player of the Week (16th), after tallying three assists in his first two games with the Impact.
“The main reason why I decided to come back is that I enjoyed a lot my time with the Impact last season,” said Gjertsen. “Knowing also that the coaching staff will be back helped me in my decision. The club as a whole has made positive steps to get better on and off the field and I want to help the team have more success. The last season is behind us and I can’t wait to come back in 2008.”
The Impact also announced on October 18 that goalkeeper Matt Jordan will be back for the 2008 season.
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
