MONTREAL - While his former club celebrated a South American championship, midfielder Ignacio Piatti was getting his first look at his new team: the Montreal Impact.The long-awaited designated player from Argentina worked out with the Impact for the first time on Thursday, a day after his old club, San Lorenzo, pulled off a victory without him over Uruguayan side Nacional Asuncion in the Copa Libertadores final.Im very happy for San Lorenzo, but now Im thinking about the Impact, the 29-year-old said through an interpreter. Ill do everything I can to help this team.Piatti signed with Montreal on July 2, but the Impact agreed to let him stay for San Lorenzos climb through the final stages of the Copa Libertadores, the South American champions league.However, the sports governing body FIFA turned down his request to stay with Pope Franciss favourite team beyond the Aug. 8 close of the international transfer window. So Piatti played in the first leg of the final last week, but was not allowed to play in the return leg in Buenos Aires.Coach Frank Klopas confirmed that Piatti signed a three and a half year deal with the Impact.The midfielders skill and his ability to play on the left wing or in the middle will be welcome on a team that sits last in Major League Soccer at 3-14-5.But how much he can help this season remains to be seen. Newcomers to MLS tend to need a half-season to adjust to the travel and the physical style of play. Klopas called him a player the team can build around in the next few seasons.He will likely see some action in Montreals home game Saturday against the Chicago Fire and is ready to accompany the side to El Salvador next Wednesday for a CONCACAF Champions League game against CD FAS.I think the adaptation is not going to be a problem, said Piatti. I know the team is having a bad season. Im ready for the challenge.Piatti sent a chill through Impact fans hearts last week when he told an Argentine reporter he hoped eventually to play with an American MLS team like New York or Miami. On his arrival on Wednesday, he said his words had been taken out of context and that he was glad to be in Montreal.Having a new player from a winning program may help boost spirits on the Impact, who have lost seven league games in a row.Any time you bring in a quality player like that it lifts everybody on the team, said Klopas. You could sense a bit of that (at practice).But we have to understand its one player. Hell make us better, but our whole team has to lift our game a bit.The five-foot-11 Piatti, who speaks Spanish and Italian, had been on the Impacts radar for two years. An attacking midfielder, he played for St. Etienne in France and Lecce in Italy before returning to Argentina in 2012 with San Lorenzo, where he scored 12 goals in 54 matches.Just having him on the field with the ball, with his ability to beat players and put the opposing team under pressure, can help us a lot, said Klopas. Theres a period of adaptation for every player, but he brings a lot of quality and I think instantly hes going to add a lot to our team.His new teammates liked what they saw of Piatti in practice at Saputo Stadium. He played mostly on the left side during a scrimmage, in the position normally held by fellow Argentine Andres Romero. It would not be a surprise if Piatti subbed in for Romero, or vice versa, against the Fire.Im very happy hes finally here, said defender Hassoun Camara. Its been a long time that we were expecting him.But we know he doesnt have to be the hero. We dont have to put a lot of pressure on him. Hes here to help the team.He is the teams second DP along with 38-year-old striker Marco Di Vaio, who is expected to leave at the end of the season. Another DP, midfielder Hernan Bernardello, left last month to join Mexican club Cruz Azul.Di Vaio said hes looking forward to having a talented midfield player to help create offence. He said Piattis personality and confidence showed in the fact that he has taken No. 10, which is normally reserved for a teams offensive leader and best attacking midfielder.Everyone in Montreal has been waiting for a number 10, said Di Vaio. I hope he can do something big for us. KZ Okpala Jersey . This weeks Raptors Report puts a bow on Gays brief, 10-month tenure in Toronto and ponders how his absence will affect the teams offence. Are they a better team without him? In addition to acquiring some valuable cap flexibility, what impact will the four incoming players have this season and beyond? Click here for the Dec. Duncan Robinson Jersey . 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Hull striker Yannick Sagbo and Queens Park Rangers loan defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto posted comments on Twitter backing Nicolas Anelka for performing the arm gesture, known in France as a "quenelle," while celebrating a goal for West Bromwich Albion in December. Anelka was fired by West Brom last month after being banned for five matches by the FA, the minimum sanction for discrimination cases. Sagbo and Assou-Ekotto might only face financial penalties as there is no minimum punishment for sociaal media postings.dddddddddddd Assou-Ekotto congratulated Anelka via Twitter for performing the "quenelle," which was popularized by French comedian Dieudonne MBala MBala and has been described as an "inverted Nazi salute." Sagbo called Anelka a "legend" alongside a picture of the French striker. Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri, who had previously been pictured online in the "quenelle" pose, has been given a formal warning by the FA. Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho, who was also pictured on Twitter performing the gesture, was "reminded of his responsibilities as a participant," the FA said. ' ' '