Montreal Roses nab 2 high

Montreal Roses nab 2 high-profile players with international pedigree

Marie-Yasmine Alidou, Ève Périsset join pro soccer team based in Laval, Que.

The Montreal Roses announced the signing of two high-profile players on Wednesday, Marie-Yasmine Alidou and Ève Périsset.

The two new recruits will be eligible to make their NSL debuts on July 23 when the Roses take on Toronto at Stade Boréale in Laval, Que.

"Ève and Mimi are two players who will immediately elevate the level of our organization," sporting director Marinette Pichon said in a statement.

"Ève brings unprecedented experience and a winning culture acquired at the highest level, and Mimi is an exceptional player coming home to play. Welcoming both of them on the same day is a great source of pride for the club."

Pichon later relayed to Radio-Canada the extensive effort it took to secure the two players, admitting she had been chasing them for almost 18 months.

She noted her desire to convince them to join the Roses for the club's inaugural season over a year ago.

"We have youth, we have talent, we have players who have been playing professionally for a few years. But we were missing players who know the very highest level," she said.

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Alidou returns to her roots after a decade playing abroad.

The 31-year-old Montrealer most recently spent a year with the Portland Thorns, where she recorded one goal and three assists over 1,386 minutes in 32 matches.

The Thorns confirmed they received an undisclosed transfer fee from the Roses.

Following her university career with the UQAM Citadins, Alidou left Quebec for Marseille in 2017.

Her professional journey then took her across Europe with stints in Sweden, Spain, Norway, Austria and Portugal, where she notably reached the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals with Benfica.

She earned her first call-up to the Canadian national team in 2022 and has since scored six goals in 22 appearances.

Ève Périsset, a 31-year-old right back, boasts a decorated resume, having also represented Paris Saint-Germain, Girondins de Bordeaux, Chelsea and Strasbourg.

Her impressive trophy cabinet includes three French League Championships, four French Cups, two English League Titles, one FA Cup and a UEFA Champions League title.

Internationally, Périsset has earned 61 caps for Les Bleues and scored four goals, including the extra-time game-winner against the Netherlands in the Euro 2022 quarterfinals.

Périsset will find herself on somewhat familiar ground in Montreal. She was part of the French Under-20 squad that played four matches at the Olympic Stadium during the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, and she has since participated in two senior Women's World Cups.

Reporting by Radio-Canada's Olivier Tremblay