CF Montreal coach on report of Choiniere trade request: 'Everyone wants him to stay'

MONTREAL — CF Montreal head Laurent Courtois says the club wants Mathieu Choiniere to stay after a report the homegrown midfielder is seeking a trade surfaced earlier this week.

The Athletic reported Wednesday that Choiniere requested a trade from the Major League Soccer club after talks of a contract extension died down following months of discussions with no resolution.

Choiniere is under contract through the end of the season and Montreal holds a club option for 2025.

The 25-year-old from Quebec City joined the club's academy in 2011 and made his professional debut in July 2018.

He was named the team's MVP last year after a breakout campaign of five goals and five assists in 28 MLS games. He also played his first minutes for Canada's national team as a substitution in a 4-1 loss to Japan on October 13, 2023.

Choiniere has started all nine of Montreal's games this season and has produced three assists.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3, 2024.

The Canadian Press