Montreal Impact acquire former Napoli defensive midfielder Marco Donadel

MONTREAL — The Montreal Impact have reached agreement on a contract with free-agent midfielder Marco Donadel.

Donadel, who was released by Italian club Napoli last summer, played 244 games with six teams in Serie A between 2001 and 2014. He spent last season with Hellas Verona on loan from Napoli.

“He will bring a lot of experience and leadership to our team, as well as quality in the middle of the field,” manager Frank Klopas said Monday in a statement.

“He has the right mentality and character going forward for next season and the Champions League.”

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Klopas had stressed the need for help at the defensive midfield position in his post-season remarks.

The 31-year-old Donadel trained with the Impact for more than a week late in the season.

At the time, the Impact said he was just visiting his friend, striker Marco Di Vaio, who has retired.

“Since the first training session in Montreal, the club made me feel like a part of their family,” said Donadel.

“Throughout this process, I felt like the Impact really wanted me to be a part of the team.”

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