Two more academy players signed with an MLS franchise this week, as the Montreal Impact announced the additions of defender Keesean Ferdinand and midfielder Tomas Giraldo.

Both players were regulars during the 2019-20 Development Academy season for the Impact. Ferdinand played 11 games for the Under-18/19 side before the season shut down, while Giraldo scored a goal in nine appearances at the oldest age group. The pair also represented Canada at the Under-17 World Cup in Brazil.

A midfielder that was originally born in Colombia, Giraldo joined the Impact Academy in 2015, originally making his first appearance at a Canadian youth national team camp in 2019. He made one appearance at the U17 World Cup in 2019, and was part of the Impact's first-team preseason camp under Thierry Henry.

“It’s a goal I set myself many years ago,” Giraldo said in a press release. “It’s something that makes me very proud. It also allows me to follow a family tradition. I hope it’s only the beginning of a great story.”

[ANNONCE 📰] L’Impact fait signer un contrat de joueur formé au club non inclus sur l’effectif à Tomas Giraldo >>> https://t.co/LmGB5S9LSC

[ANNOUNCEMENT 📰] The Impact signs Tomas Giraldo to an off-roster Homegrown contract >>> https://t.co/FjtgcUcoaF#IMFC pic.twitter.com/3FSnXv7pms

— Impact de Montréal (@impactmontreal) June 17, 2020

Another veteran from the U17 Concacaf Championship and World Cup, Ferdinand's involvement with Montreal's Academy dates back to 2014. He made two starts in Brazil, and also played in preseason with the Impact MLS side. 

“A dream I’ve had since I was young comes true,” Ferdinand said in a statement. “Every hour on the field, every duel won, every loss and every win helped me grow and improve. Realising that the club that formed me trusts me at a young age is the proof that everything is possible if you are determined and if you have a good work ethic.”

📰 Le défenseur Keesean Ferdinand a signé son premier contrat professionnel en tant que joueur formé au club >>> https://t.co/umnSWbUckd

📰 Defender Keesean Ferdinand signed his first professional contract >>> https://t.co/LKeGZgamfQ#IMFC pic.twitter.com/vcGgvCLv4G

— Impact de Montréal (@impactmontreal) June 17, 2020

Just 16 years old, Ferdinand becomes the youngest Homegrown signing in the team's history.

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