Josef Martinez joins CF Montreal for the 2024 MLS season | OneFootball

Josef Martinez will join CF Montreal for the 2024 Major League Soccer season, signing a one-year contract with the Canadian team with an option for 2025.

Montreal used Targeted Allocation Money for the deal, avoiding the use of a Designated Player slot for Martinez.

The forward arrives from Inter Miami, where he managed seven goals and one assist in 27 games throughout the 2023 campaign.

But Martinez is most famous for his time in Atlanta United, racking up 98 goals and 14 assists in the span of six years. His efforts clinched the MLS Cup, Golden Boot and Landon Donovan MLS MVP award in 2018 with the Five Stripes.

The Venezuelan international also currently holds the ninth-most goals (105) in MLS history.

CF Montreal needs a force on the attack, after failing to qualify for the playoffs last season. The Canadian side concluded the 2023 MLS campaign in 10th place on the Eastern Conference table with 41 points in 34 games, narrowly missing the postseason by two points.

Following the disappointing MLS performance, the team parted ways with head coach Hernan Losada and replaced him with Laurent Courtois from the Columbus Crew reserve team. The team now heads into 2024 with several changes to the front staff and roster, hoping the revamp is enough for playoff football.

Montreal kicks off the 2024 MLS campaign on February 24 against Orlando City at Inter & Co Stadium.