BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Legion FC announced on Wednesday it had acquired midfielder Rida Zouhir on a loan from Club de Foot Montreal of Major League Soccer for the remainder of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval, with Zouhir anticipated to be available for Legion FC’s match on Saturday at Monterey Bay F.C.

Zouhir has logged 169 total minutes over seven appearances this season with CF Montreal. Born and raised in Montreal, the 20-year-old signed a homegrown contract with the club ahead of the 2021 season.

Over the course of his young career, Zouhir has shown that he can play as both a defensive midfielder as well as in a more advanced position. That versatility has led to him receiving youth call-ups at the international level, having represented the Morocco U-20 in a friendly in 2022 before later playing for the Canada in the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

Zouhir returns to the USL Championship after spending last season out on loan with San Antonio FC. It marked Zouhir’s best professional season to date with eight goals and four assists in 25 appearances as he earned nomination for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award.

Analysis

Birmingham Legion acquiring Rida Zouhir is a sharp pickup that should positively influence the side as it pushes for a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference over the final months of the season. Zouhir’s quality on the ball was evident in San Antonio as he completed 37 dribbles at a 69.8 percent success rate while notching 39 chances created, an average of two per 90 minutes a season ago.

That dynamism should fit into a Legion lineup where the ability to move quickly in transition is a key attribute. Zouhir should slot in as one of two more advanced midfielders alongside anchor Kobe Hernandez-Foster and could chip in on the scoresheet regularly over the final 12 games of the regular season.