Major League Soccer

11 August 2026

Major League Soccer

11 August 2026

By Jonathan Sigal

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing

CF Montreal have completed the signing of forward Alexis Sanchez as a free agent, the club announced on Tuesday.

The Chile star has signed a deal running through the 2027 Sprint Season, with an option for 2027-28. He will take up a Designated Player roster spot.

"I am very happy to join CF Montreal and take on this new challenge," said Sanchez.

"I’m grateful to the club for the confidence they’ve shown in me, and I’m eager to put my experience to work so that we can reach our objectives and create memorable moments for our supporters. I’m here to give everything I have for the club and for this city."

Sanchez has spent the last 18 seasons in Europe after first making his mark with South American clubs Cobreloa, Colo-Colo and River Plate. Across 788 matches, he has recorded 215 goals and 154 assists, while winning 20 trophies at club level.

Most recently, Sanchez turned out for LaLiga outfit Sevilla. Before that, he had spells in England with Arsenal and Manchester United, in Italy with Inter Milan and Udinese, in Spain with FC Barcelona, and in France with Marseille.

On the international stage, Sanchez holds Chile’s records for both appearances and goals, with 168 caps and 51 goals. He played at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups and is a two-time Copa America winner, lifting the title in 2015 and 2016.

"The arrival of Alexis Sanchez represents an important step in our sporting project," said Luca Saputo, Montreal's senior director of recruitment and sporting methodology.

"Alexis possesses exceptional technical quality and experience at the highest level of world football. His personality, leadership and competitive mindset fully align with our club’s identity and ambitions. We are of firm belief that he will have an immediate impact both on the field and in the locker room."

Montreal have a track record of bringing in high-profile names, most notably Ivorian striker Didier Drogba and Italian defender Alessandro Nesta during the mid-2010s.

Like those former stars, Sanchez is expected to bring veteran leadership and top-class quality drawn from a distinguished career.

As Sanchez arrives in Montreal, the club sit outside the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs places in 14th spot in the Eastern Conference standings with 16 points. Philippe Eullaffroy is currently serving as interim head coach.