Byers, 24, joined the Impact last season on August 19, before the United Soccer Leagues First Division roster freeze deadline. He scored three goals in seven regular season games (480 minutes), in addition to scoring a goal in the 4-1 win against Joe Public FC, October 8, in Trinidad and Tobago, during CONCACAF Champions League group phase.
After taking part in training camp of the Major League Soccer (MLS) San Jose Earthquakes, Byers declined an offer due to a contract disagreement.
“We are very happy to have him back with us,” said Impact technical director Nick De Santis. “We kept in touch during his stay in San Jose. As soon as we knew that it had not worked out for him there, we immediately resumed negotiations.”
“Byers is a player who integrated himself very well in the team,” added De Santis. “We expect him to contribute even more offensively. With Sebrango, Brown and Gjertsen, we have now added a fourth key forward to our lineup.”
Byers will return to Montreal later today. He will be available for the historical quarterfinal game of the CONCACAF Champions League, February 25, at Olympic Stadium.
Byers becomes the fifth foreign player under contract with the Montreal organization who has secured a spot in the 2009 lineup, with defenders Stefano Pesoli (Italy) and Cédric Joqueviel (France), midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo (Argentina), as well as forward Roberto Brown (Panama).
More than 43,000 tickets have already been sold for the quarterfinal game. Several excellent tickets are still available. Approximately 3,000 additional tickets priced at $25 each are on sale since Tuesday. Tickets are available through Admission (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com), and at the ticket offices of Olympic Stadium and Saputo Stadium.
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
