Impact fill hole at centre back; sign French veteran Zakaria Diallo

French defender Zakaria Diallo has signed a two-year contract with the Montreal Impact.

The six-foot-four centreback joined Montreal from Stade Brestois in France’s Ligue-2.

“The goal with Zakaria’s arrival is to strengthen the team in central defence,” Impact head coach Remi Garde said in a statement. “I am pleased with his recruitment because he has the athletic and technical profile I was looking for.”

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READ MORE: Montreal Impact reaches deal with fullback Chris Duvall on two-year deal

Diallo, 31, has played mostly in the French second division with Ajaccio and Brest, but also started three games in Ligue-1 with Dijon in 2011-12 and then stayed with the team when it was relegated.

He was named to the Ligue-2 team of the year for the 2016-17 season, scoring three goals in 35 games for Brest.

“I’m very happy to join the Montreal Impact,” said Diallo. “It’s a dream come true for me because I’ve always wanted to play in MLS.”

READ MORE: Montreal Impact trade star defender Laurent Ciman to Los Angeles

The Impact were short of experienced centrebacks after the trade of veteran Laurent Ciman to Los Angeles FC.