CF Montreal sign forward Matias Coccaro from Argentinian side Huracan | OneFootball

CF Montreal have signed striker Matias Coccaro from Liga Profesional side Huracan on a three-year deal through the 2026 MLS season with options for 2027 and 2028.

Coccaro joins the Canadian club as their newest striker to help lead the side up the Eastern Conference table as they failed to qualify for MLS Cup playoffs last season.

Prior to the move to MLS, the 26-year-old spent his entire career in South America, starting out with Rampla Juniors in Uruguay in early 2018 before transferring to Montevideo City Torque in July 2019. During his time in Uruguay, he managed 17 goals and 14 assists in 76 appearances before moving on to Liga Profesional in Argentina in July 2021.

Coccaro originally joined Huracan on loan for the 2021/2022 season where his 14 goals in 37 games saw Huracan sign him permanently ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. As a permanent Huracan player, he bagged 17 goals in total to bring his total tally to 31 goals in 110 appearances.

The Piraraja, Uruguay native brings winning experience to Montreal, as he lifted the 2019 league title when Montevideo won promotion from the second division to the top flight of soccer in his home country.

Coccaro, who's been given the nickname El Zorro (The Fox), joins a Montreal side where Kwado Opoku -- who was acquired from LAFC via trade in early July -- was the team's top goalscorer in 2023 with six goals. Opoku won't have to carry the goal-scoring duties by himself with Coccaro now in the side.

Montreal are rumored to be in the running for former Atlanta United and Inter Miami striker Josef Martinez, as the 30-year-old was left out of contract following the 2023 season where he struggled to find form in south Florida.

With first-year boss Laurent Courtois leading the charge, Montreal's 2024 season begins on February 24 against Orlando City at Inter&Co (formerly known as Exploria) Stadium.