The Montreal Impact announced on Monday that it has come to terms with French center back Rod Fanni on a contract which runs through June 30, 2018, with an option for the remainder of the season. His acquisition will be confirmed after he receives his international transfer certificate and undergoes his medical.
Fanni, 36, has played 362 games in Ligue 1, including 330 starts, and 29,895 minutes throughout his 15-year career in the French first division, between 2002 and 2018, appearing successively for RC Lens, OGC Nice, Stade Rennais and Olympique de Marseille. His resume includes two Coupe de la Ligue titles, one Trophée des champions, two seasons with more than 3,000 minutes played and eight seasons with more than 2,000 minutes, adding eight goals along the way.
“His arrival will allow us to fill the gap left by Zakaria Diallo’s injury,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “Rod will strengthen our defensive corps while bringing his extensive experience to the group. I appreciated his swiftness in positively answering our request and his desire to take part in our project as soon as he was released from his contract with Marseille. I am certain that his contribution will be important for our upcoming games.”
“Rod's addition to the group was needed to help fill the void in our defensive line after Zakaria's injury,” said Impact technical director Adam Braz. “He is a consummate professional who showed a strong desire to join our club. The fact that he was out of contract as well as his experience at the highest level in Europe were contributing factors to his signing.”
With Marseilles, he won the Trophée des champions in 2011 and the Coupe de la Ligue in 2011 and 2012, spending six and a half seasons in two spells with l’OM, from 2010-11 to 2014-15, and in 2016-17 and 2017-18. He was also a finalist with Rennes in the 2009 Coupe de France and with Nice in the 2006 Coupe de la Ligue. He was named twice on the Ligue 1 Team of the Year, in 2009 and 2010, while playing for Rennes.
He made his professional debut in the French second division in 2000 and played three seasons with his hometown club FC Martigues, taking part in 93 games in Ligue 2. He also played with Chateauroux in France’s second division.
Fanni has appeared in 19 Coupe de France games, 17 Coupe de la Ligue games, 12 UEFA Champions League games, 10 UEFA Cup games and seven Europa League games.
He has also represented Qatari club Al-Arabi SC and English Championship club Charlton Athletic in 2015-16.
At the international level, Fanni played five games with the French national team, between 2008 and 2010, making his senior debut on October 14, 2008, in a friendly game against Tunisia. He had previously played with the France U21 team.
Transaction: The Montreal Impact has come to terms with French center back Rod Fanni on a contract until June 30, 2018, with an option for the remainder of the season.
ROD FANNI
Position: Defender
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 179 lbs
Birthdate and birthplace: December 6, 1981, in Martigues, France
Citizenship: France
Last club: Olympique de Marseille (France)
Date acquired: March 5, 2018
