Montreal Impact announce signing of Saphir Taider as Designated Player

Saphir Taider is leaving Europe for the first time.

On Monday, Taider joined the Montreal Impact as a Designated Player, as the midfielder signed a three-year deal that includes a two-year loan from Bologna FC 1909 and an option for 2021.

"We're very happy to welcome Saphir with our club," Joey Saputo, president of both the Impact and Bologna, said. "He's a very competitive player who has played over 100 games with Bologna FC since 2012. This signing will help the team to reach his goals."

Taider joined Southampton from Internazionale in August 2014, but the Saints terminated the loan spell after the product of Grenoble Foot 38 "failed to live up to the high levels of commitments" and made just one first-team appearance in over three weeks. The footballer subsequently went to US Sassuolo on loan, and in 2015 was once again acquired by Bologna.

Through seven seasons in Serie A, Taider tallied 10 goals and eight assists in 162 appearances. At the international level, he boasts five goals and 42 caps with Algeria and played at the 2014 World Cup.