Indy Eleven Goalkeeper Kristian Nicht Transfers To Montreal Impact
Indy Eleven has announced the transfer of veteran goalkeeper Kristian Nicht to Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact FC, effective immediately.
“It is our desire to be a player-friendly club, and we are honoring that by allowing Kristian to join Montreal at this time,” Indy Eleven President and General Manager Peter Wilt said. “This move will provide an incredible opportunity for Kristian, and everyone at Indy Eleven wishes him the best of luck during this tremendous moment in his career.
“I would also like to thank Adam Braz at the Montreal Impact for agreeing to a deal that benefits Kristian, Indy Eleven, and Montreal both in the short and long terms,” concluded Wilt.
The 33-year-old Nicht is no stranger to L’Impact after joining the club during two separate loan stints this spring. Nicht’s initial month-long loan allowed him to join the Impact roster for both of their CCL Quarterfinal Round contests against Mexican side Pachuca on February 24 and March 3, and he returned for a short spell surrounding the Semifinal Round first leg against Costa Rican club Alajuelense on March 18.
“I want to thank the Indy Eleven organization for giving me the chance to follow through on this wonderful opportunity,” said Nicht. “While I am very excited to join Montreal, thanks to the support I received from Indy Eleven’s tremendous fans and the Indianapolis community as a whole I will always consider myself 'Indy Forever.’”
Nicht started all four of Indy Eleven’s 2015 NASL Spring Season contests, registering an undefeated 1W-3D-0L record along with a league-best 13 saves and 1.00 goals against average (4th in NASL among goalkeepers with at least 100 minutes played). In 2014, Nicht started all 27 NASL regular season contests and both appearances in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for Indy Eleven during its inaugural season. His 397-minute shutout streak last September and October set a new record for a goalkeeper during the NASL Modern Era.
“Kristian Nicht’s impact both on and off the field has been a huge part of what Indy Eleven has become. This is a decision that did not come easily for the organization, but we feel the depth we've built will allow us to move forward with confidence at the goalkeeper position,” Indy Eleven Director of Soccer Operations and head coach Juergen Sommer said. “I’d like to thank Kristian for everything he has given to the club and look forward to following this next step in his career development.”
Today’s transaction leaves Indy Eleven with two goalkeepers on the roster, Keith Cardona and Jon Dawson, both of whom signed on March 31. The 22-year-old Cardona is a former New York Red Bull Academy and University of Maryland product, who came to Indy Eleven after joining Austrian second division side FC Leifering last summer. The 24-year-old Dawson returned to the Boys in Blue for a second season in March, this after the Butler University alum and Indianapolis native spent last year backing up Nicht.
