OTTAWA – Ottawa Fury FC announced on Thursday the club had re-signed Canadian goalkeeper David Monsalve ahead of the 2019 season, pending league and federation approval.

“David is entering his 13th season as a pro and brings tremendous experience to Fury FC,” said Fury FC General Manager Julian de Guzman. “He has demonstrated he can embody the values that are at the core of our club culture and we are excited to have such a seasoned and dedicated player back in the fold for our 2019 season.”

Born in North York to Colombian parents, Monsalve was initially brought in as an injury relief player by Toronto FC in its inaugural season in 2007 to begin his professional career. He soon made North American soccer history when he became the youngest goalkeeper to ever play in Major League Soccer – a record that still stands – at 18 years old (18 years, seven months and eight days). While he only played one match with TFC in 2007, he went on to appear in more than 120 matches across Finland, Colombia, Guatemala, and Canada – where he suited up for FC Edmonton for two seasons (2011-2012), as well as feature for Canada’s youth and senior national teams, earning his first senior appearance in 2010 when Canada faced Jamaica.

In 2018, Monsalve featured for Fury FC once, stepping in between the posts in his hometown against Toronto FC II on September 6th, but was a regular presence with the club throughout the season as the club’s back-up to 2018 USL Goalkeeper of the Year Maxime Crepeau. His dedication and hard work was as valuable for Fury FC on the field as it was off it, and Monsalve’s drive and experience shone through his community involvement, earning him the 2018 Community Award for his work with the Fury FIT program and the new youth goalkeeping clinics.

He joins teammates Carl Haworth, Jamar Dixon, Nana Attakora, Maxim Tissot, Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé, Chris Mannella, Onua Obasi and Kevin Oliveira in Fury FC colors for 2019. With a strong core of players confirmed and more signings expected in the months to come, ahead of the training camp opening in January, Fury FC are showing focus and intent in continuing to grow “The Project” with 75 percent of the club’s roster currently made up of Canadian players.