Hoffenheim's Stanley Nsoki tries to get past Porto's Ivan Jaime, left, and Nico Gonzalez during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between FC Porto and TSG Hoffenheim at the Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)

MONTREAL — Spanish attacker Ivan Jaime is looking for a fresh start with CF Montreal as he looks to help the Major League Soccer side in its rebuild.

Montreal acquired Jaime on loan from Portuguese club FC Porto on Friday at the end of the recent international transfer window.

The club's new designated player began training with the club this week.

“The way the project was presented to me was very interesting, it’s very good for me to be here, and I think it’s the best thing for everyone involved,” said Jaime at a news availability Wednesday. “My agent got in touch with me about a week before the market closed, and I really appreciated the transparency of the club. I talked about it with my family, and it all worked out."

Developed in Spain at the Malaga CF academy, Jaime made a splash in Portugal’s Primera Liga with FC Famalicão. In three years, he scored 17 goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions, winning the league’s Young Player of the Year award and earning a move to Porto.

However, Jaime struggled to make a lasting impact with his new club as he registered just seven goal contributions in 44 games. Now on his second loan spell away from the club since signing with the Portuguese giants, existing tensions could provide a fresh start for the former Spanish youth international.

“Now that I’m here, I don’t want to focus on the outside; I just want to concentrate on myself and the club," Jaime said. "I don’t have anything to prove to anyone. I want to help the team."

"All I can say is that some stuff was out of my control, I just focused on doing the work every day."

Wasting no time in getting involved with his new club, Jaime has managed to carve out a place in Montreal’s roster. With the departure of Caden Clark in the very same window, the club is left without a right-footed attacker capable of playing on the left wing.

But Jaime will have to not only get used to a new group of players and a new league, but also a whole new style of play. Major League Soccer — and coach Marco Donadel’s philosophy even more so — is contingent on pressure, running, and defensive responsibility.

“I can play on the left, in the number 10 position, or even on the right, but I think the area where I’m most comfortable and I can help the team is on the left side,” said Jaime, who after just two sessions was surprised by the intensity and the work rate of the league, even in training.

“In Europe, MLS is seen as a bit of a show, and you need to be here to understand. It’s a competitive league and I’m excited to play and show what I can do on the field.”

Despite the attention and pressure that come with the designated player tag, Jaime added that he only sees the label as an “MLS rule” and not something that should differentiate him from any other player. Off the field, Jaime has benefited from having several players and staff members in the squad who already speak Spanish, which has helped him settle into his new club.

“I’m in love with this city, I got to eat, go out, and there’s always something to do here,” said Jaime. "It’s not like Spain or Portugal, like what I’m used to; it’s very different and I really like it here."

While it is expected for Jaime to be on the matchday squad for the Canadian Classique on Aug. 30th against Toronto, it is unclear if he will make his first start with Montreal so soon after his arrival.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27, 2025.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2025