MONTREAL – CF Montréal announced Friday the Club has come to terms with midfielder Victor Wanyama to a two-year contract for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He will remain a Designated Player with the Club.
“We are glad to have concluded a new deal with Victor and that he remains with us,” said Vice-President and Chief Sporting Officer, Olivier Renard. “During the last three seasons, he has been an important player on the field and in the locker room. His personality, his experience, and his qualities as a player will notably help us with the stability of the group for the season to come.”
“I’m excited to stay at the club and the city where I have been so happy for the past three years,” said Victor Wanyama. “When I arrived here, I believed in the Club’s project. As we continue to grow, this is even more true. I am eager to continue bringing my best for my teammates, the coaching staff, and the Montreal supporters. "
Wanyama, 31, initially joined the Club on a free transfer from Tottenham Hotspur FC on March 3, 2020. In three seasons in MLS, he accrued 80 games, including 78 as a starter, for a total of 6,891 regular season minutes, compiling five goals and eight assists. He also played the full 90 minutes in each of the Club's last six Concacaf Champions League matches (twice against CD Olimpia in 2020 and four games in 2022 against Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul). Wanyama was also a finalist for the Club's Most Valuable Player award in 2022.
Prior to joining Montreal, the Nairobi-born midfielder played four seasons with English club Tottenham Hotspur FC, where he registered six goals and one assist in 69 regular season games, including 47 starts, and 4,385 minutes. He was part of the squad that reached the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League final, appearing in five knockout games and starting three against Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Ajax. He featured in 13 UEFA Champions League games, two Europa League games, nine FA Cup games and four English League Cup games.
He previously made his English debut with Southampton FC in 2013, becoming the first Kenyan player to appear in the English Premier League (EPL). In three seasons with the Saints, he recorded four goals and two assists in 85 Premier League games, including 74 starts, and 6,515 minutes. He also took part in three Europa League qualification games, three FA Cup games and six English League Cup games.
Before joining the EPL, Wanyama played two seasons with Celtic FC, helping the Scottish giants win two Scottish Premier League (SPL) titles in 2011-12 and 2012-13, and a Scottish Cup in 2013. He was also named the SPL Young Player of the Year following the 2012-13 season. He tallied 10 goals and seven assists in 61 regular season games, including 55 starts, and 4,911 minutes, while appearing in seven UEFA Champions League games, five Europa League games, nine Scottish Cup games and six Scottish League Cup games.
Between 2008 and 2011, Wanyama played with Beerschot AC in the Belgium Jupiler Pro League, appearing in 41 regular season games, eight playoff games and five Belgium Cup games.
He started his career with Kenyan clubs Nairobi City Stars and AFC Leopards in the Kenyan Premier League in 2006 and 2007, before joining Swedish club Helsingborgs IF’s U21 team.
At the international level, Wanyama scored seven goals in 64 games with the Kenyan national team, repeatedly wearing the captain’s armband since 2012. He made his senior debut in 2007 at the age of 15. He announced his international retirement on September 27, 2021.
Transaction: CF Montréal has come to terms with midfielder Victor Wanyama on a new two-year contract for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He will remain a Designated Player with the Club.
