MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Monday the signing of English midfielder Ian Westlake. Per club and Major League Soccer policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Westlake becomes the fourth player from the 2011 Impact roster to join the team in MLS in 2012, following midfielders Hassoun Camara and Sinisa Ubiparipovic, as well as goalkeeper Evan Bush.
“Ian’s soccer qualities and competitive nature make him a very good fit for our team moving forward,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “I know Ian will come into work everyday and give everything he has. He is a real competitor and an excellent player on the field.”
Westlake, originally from Clacton-on-the-Sea in England, was formed by English club Ipswich Town and began his professional career in 2002, playing 125 games with Ipswich in the second division, including three FA Cup games and three League Cup games, scoring a total of 17 goals.
In August 2006, Westlake was sold to Leeds United where he played 47 games with Leeds, in the second and third divisions, from 2006 to 2009.
Named the club’s Newcomer of the Year, the 28 year-old midfielder joined the Impact on July 15, quickly becoming a fixture in the Impact’s starting line-up. He scored two goals and started 13 games in as many played, totalling 1,125 minutes.
A former U21 England National Team member, Westlake also suited up for English clubs Brighton & Hove Albion, Cheltenham Town, Oldham Athletic, and most recently with the Wycombe Wanderers, from 2009 to 2011.
In the meantine, the Impact made no selections in Stage 1 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft. Stage 2 will be on December 12.
IAN WESTLAKE
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'10
Weight: 160 lbs
Date of Birth: November 10, 1983, Clacton-on-Sea, England
Hometown: Clacton-on-Sea, England
Former club: Montreal Impact (NASL 2011)
Acquired: December 5, 2011
