Shocking twist: CF Montréal’s bold $175K gamble on teenage sensation | OneFootball

The MLS market proved once again that wagering on young prospects is still a good bet. CF Montréal has signed and made official the acquisition of midfielder Olger Escobar, 18, in a transfer with the New England Revolution. As part of the transaction involving Escobar's Priority Rights, the Canadian team transferred as much as $175,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM), $125,000 of which is assured and an additional $50,000 conditioned. The deal also grants New England a portion of any subsequent transfer, an apparent signal that, at an early point, Escobar is still considered a future prospect with value to enhance.

A deal that reflects long-term plans

Escobar signed with CF Montréal through the 2026 season, with club options extending through 2027, 2028, and 2029. The move clearly says a lot about a long-term project with the young Guatemalan as the focal point, giving him the room and structure needed to adapt and grow in the club. In a business where intelligence often gets stepped on by haste, Montréal seems to be committed to taking a bit more patiently to cultivating a player who may one day be a key part of the future. Olger Escobar has not yet made his debut for New England Revolution's senior team, but that has not quieted the noise about his name. He has already made waves with the youth teams and New England Revolution II, which competes in MLS NEXT Pro.

In the 2022-23 season, Escobar won the MLS NEXT Under-17 MVP, and led the Under-19 team to an MLS NEXT Cup title. And the icing on the cake, of course, was that he received the New England Revolution Academy Player of the Year award for the same season, one that truly has real worth behind the scenes in MLS ranks for up-and-coming prospects.

The task of emerging out of the shadows

Despite the compliment, Escobar is one step away from being a part of the Revolution's first team. This explains CF Montréal's move all the way. This new chapter in his professional life is a good one that brings the young midfielder a chance to cut his own path in a setting with fewer obstacles in the short term. CF Montréal President and CEO Gabriel Gervais greeted the newest addition without hesitation: "He's a creative player with high potential, strong attacking ability, and technical skill."

Betting on young players is a shrewd path for clubs that are interested not just in trophies, but also in sporting and economic dividends in the midterm. With the contract signed and option years taken care of until 2029, the Canadian club covers itself while keeping the door ajar for a remunerative future transfer. The logic is simple and persuasive: invest now to earn money later.