The 20-year-old Montrealer is the latest of the team's key players to be sold to a European team after an impressive season.
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CF Montréal midfielder Ismaël Koné has been transferred to Watford FC in the English Championship, the MLS side announced Monday.
The 20 year old, who was born in Ivory Coast and grew up in N.D.G., enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 — appearing in 26 games and scoring twice as CF Montréal reached the Eastern Conference semifinal.
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He joined CF Montréal in 2021 from CS St-Laurent. His technical director at the youth club, former Montreal Impact midfielder Rocco Placentino, recently told the Gazette “The kid is special. … The more he plays with, or against, better players, the better he becomes.”
Koné was Canada’s youngest player at the World Cup, appearing as a substitute in all three group stage matches.
“I grew as a player, but also off the field. I had a lot to learn, but the people here helped me develop,” Koné said in a statement. “I’m grateful because I had the opportunity to begin my career at home.”
While CF Montréal did not announce the transfer fee Watford is paying for Koné, it was previously reported as the largest fee in club history.
Koné is the latest player from this season’s impressive CF Montréal side to move on to a European team.
Midfielder Djordje Mihailovic signed for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie. The team confirmed on Saturday that right back Alistair Johnston, who was with Koné in the Canadian squad at the World Cup, had been sold to Celtic in Scotland.
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Tears of joy for St-Laurent's Placentino as Koné debuts in World Cup
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CF Montréal's Alistair Johnston heading to Scottish club Celtic FC