CF Montréal Bolsters Defense with Key MLS Acquisitions
CF Montréal significantly strengthened its defensive line on Wednesday, securing the services of two experienced backs through strategic trades with fellow Major League Soccer teams. The acquisitions of Icelandic defender Dagur Dan Thórhallsson and Colombian defender Brayan Vera signal a clear intent to solidify the team’s backfield ahead of the upcoming season.
CF Montréal first landed Thórhallsson in a deal with Orlando City SC, parting with a general allocation amount (GAM) valued at $500,000 for the 2026 season and a conditional GAM payment of $125,000 for 2027. The 25-year-old has signed a contract extending through the end of the 2027-2028 season, with a club option for 2028-2029. Orlando City will also retain a percentage of any future transfer fee should Thórhallsson be sold before the contract’s expiration.
Thórhallsson joined Orlando City in January 2023 and quickly established himself as a reliable presence, logging 92 MLS appearances, including 52 starts. Over the past three campaigns, he has accumulated 4,725 minutes on the pitch, contributing 7 goals and 4 assists. The Icelandic international also boasts seven caps for his national team, making his debut in a friendly against Saudi Arabia on November 6, 2022.
“Dagur is a player that we have been following since he entered the MLS circuit,” stated a senior official at CF Montréal. “He is fully in line with the playing philosophy that our head coach Marco Donadel wants to implement. His ability to support the attack on the flanks and his versatility will offer different options to our team.”
Vera Arrives from Real Salt Lake
The Bleu-blanc-noir followed up the Thórhallsson acquisition with a trade for Brayan Vera from Real Salt Lake. The deal involved a substantial package of GAM, totaling $700,000 for 2026, $500,000 for 2027, and a conditional $350,000 in GAM. Real Salt Lake will also receive a percentage of any future transfer fee involving Vera.
Vera has agreed to a contract with CF Montréal that runs through the end of the 2027-2028 season, with club options for the following two seasons. The 26-year-old defender, who has twice represented Colombia at the senior level, brings a wealth of experience to Montréal, having played 6,135 minutes in 75 MLS matches – 71 of which were starts – since joining Real Salt Lake in February 2023. He also has 30 appearances in the first and second divisions of Italian soccer.
“We are very happy to welcome Brayan Vera to our workforce,” said a senior official. “He is a defender who has already demonstrated the full extent of his qualities in MLS, thanks to his ability to win in duels and the quality of his first restarts. His experience and personality will facilitate his integration and strengthen our defensive base. We are convinced that it will quickly become an important element of our project.”
These strategic additions underscore CF Montréal’s commitment to building a competitive squad capable of challenging for a playoff berth in the upcoming MLS season. The arrival of Thórhallsson and Vera provides Head Coach Marco Donadel with increased defensive depth and tactical flexibility, positioning the team for success.
