Brayan Vera’s arrival at CF Montréal immediately changes the conversation around the club’s backline. It’s not every day an MLS team spends 1.2 million dollars in GAM on a defender and still agrees to pay up to 350 thousand in performance bonuses. When that happens, it’s pretty clear the club is betting big on someone they see as essential to what they’re trying to build from here on out. And Montréal didn’t hide the fact that they view Vera that way.
A signing backed from inside the club
Luca Saputo, who oversees recruitment and sporting methodology, explained what he expects from the Colombian. He pointed to Vera’s strength in duels, his quality on the first pass and the experience he brings to reinforce the defensive line.
Saputo also said Montréal believe Vera will quickly become an important piece in the team’s rebuild. That word, “rebuild,” isn’t thrown around lightly. It signals a process that’s already underway and now has a clear name attached to this part of the project.
All of that helps explain why the contract runs so long. The deal goes through 2027–28, with options for two more seasons.
How Real Salt Lake view the move?
On RSL’s side, the message was just as straightforward. Kurt Schmid thanked the defender for his three seasons with the club and wished him well. RSL kept a resale clause, which is common when a team still sees potential value in a player.
Instead of pushing for a new contract, they chose to turn the moment into financial return. It’s three seasons of service, a significant amount in GAM and the possibility of earning more down the line.
What Montréal get from Vera right away?
Vera arrives with consistent numbers: 92 matches in three seasons, six goals and three assists. He’s a defender who played regularly, gained experience and maintained a stable level of performance.
He also brings international experience, with call-ups to Colombia’s senior national team and participation in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. None of that guarantees he’ll become the defensive anchor Montréal are hoping for, but it does explain why the club view him as someone ready to take on responsibility from day one.