Ribeiro, 29, is back with the Impact after having played eight seasons with the club (2000-2001, 2003 to 2008.) In 119 games with the Impact (6,072 minutes), 62 as starter, Ribeiro tallied 10 goals and nine assists for a total of 29 points. Ribeiro also helped Montreal win the playoff championship in 2004 and the regular season championship in 2005 and 2006.
During the 2009 season Ribeiro played for the San Jose Earthquakes in the Major League Soccer (MLS) participating in seven games and totalizing 506 minutes of play.
“Antonio will bring depth and a presence to the team at midfield,” declared the Impact technical director Nick De Santis. “He is coming back to Montreal after having gained a year of experience in the MLS, which has been very beneficial. Knowing what a player like Antonio can bring to this team we have always kept the door open in the event that he would return.”
“I am very happy to be coming back to Montreal,” declared Ribeiro. “I am glad to have experienced the MLS but my club will always be the Impact. I have always had a passion for this team and I will do all in my power to help the Impact win.”
Ribeiro, who grew up in the St-Michel neighborhood, played at the amateur level with the St-Michel-Pompei Soccer Association and Jean-Talon Rosemont. He also played for Quebec teams and took part in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament with the Canadian national team, in 2007.
Ribeiro will not be available for Sunday’s game against Baltimore but could be in the lineup to play on Wednesday July 21 against AC St. Louis at Saputo Stadium. Tickets for this match are still available through the Admission Network (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com) as well as at the Saputo Stadium ticket office. Please take note that fans in attendance for games on Wednesdays July 21, 28, and August 11, are invited to take advantage of $1 Lafleur hotdogs from the opening of the gates (6pm) until kickoff.
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (Ext. 227)
