Dominic Iankov met his new teammates and then had to undergo the grueling circular shuttle run. Some Montreal welcomes are warmer than others.
After hearing about ten whistles from fitness coach Barthélémy Delecroix and after doing a few laps of the field at the Cégep Marie-Victorin sports complex, Iankov decided he had given enough. “It was my first day of training and it was tough, especially on this artificial turf,” the midfielder said Wednesday. “But it was good to prepare us.”
Born in Toronto but playing for Bulgaria internationally, Iankov signed a three-year contract with CF Montreal on Monday, with two options. He was acquired from Bulgarian Premier League club Ludogoretz Razgrad using Targeted Allocation Money.
Iankov, 23, said the Bleu-Blanc-Noir had been eyeing him for two years now and that the team began negotiations with him two months ago. After winning five titles in Bulgaria, from 2019 to 2023, the midfielder was ready for new challenges. “I had been in Bulgaria for several years and I felt like it was time to go to another country and have another challenge,” Iankov explained. “It’s an amazing feeling, wearing this jersey. I feel great to be back in Canada. I just met the guys and everyone was very nice to me.”
Iankov began his career with Power FC’s academy in Toronto before joining Sunderland in England in 2013. He then progressed through the ranks to Ludogoretz Razgrad, where he recorded 15 goals and 14 assists in 128 games.
For the average soccer fan who doesn’t get a chance to follow what’s going on in Bulgaria, statistics alone don’t mean anything. But Iankov says he and his team have been regularly tested in a good league. “The top division in Bulgaria is good. It’s a league that brings a good challenge,” he said. “It was difficult for our team because we were always the champions, so all our opponents gave 100% in every game. I wanted to come to MLS because the level of play is very good.”
As an attacking midfielder who loves to score goals, Iankov could help an anemic attack in 2023. With 36 goals in 34 games, the team was tied for fourth worst in MLS.
Now that CF Montreal’s new head coach, Laurent Courtois, seems to want to impose a more offensive and “risky” style of play, Iankov – and Bryce Duke, among others – will have the mandate to create more quality chances for the young group of forwards in front of him.
“There are several fantastic young players here who have a lot of potential. I just want to adapt as quickly as possible and hope I can bring out the best in myself to help the club and make the fans happy. The number 10 position [creative and attacking midfielder] is my usual position, but I will play wherever the coach tells me to play,” Yankov stressed.
Three-year agreement for Cóccaro
Furthermore, CF Montreal’s biggest open secret was finally revealed on Wednesday afternoon.
The club announced the acquisition of striker Matías Cóccaro through a transfer from CA Huracan, in the Argentine first division. The 26-year-old Uruguayan has signed a three-year deal with two options.
Cóccaro arrived in Montreal last weekend and some fans even greeted him at the airport. Earlier Wednesday, he trained with his new teammates, who were not officially, according to MLS procedures.
The Montreal team published a photo on the X platform, suggesting that the agreement would be confirmed in the coming hours.
Cóccaro began his professional career in 2018 with Rampla Juniors Futbol Club, in the Uruguayan first division. After a stint with Villa Teresa and Montevideo City Torque, the one nicknamed El Zorro made his mark with CA Huracan.
With the Argentine team, he amassed 31 goals and 7 assists in 110 games.
