CF Montréal are already feeling the optimism under new head coach Laurent Courtois and it’s not only the mood he’s changing at Stade Saputo but the roster, too.

On Monday, CFM announced the signing of Bulgarian international midfielder Dominik Yankov on a permanent transfer from Bulgarian first-division club Ludogoretz Razgrad.

Toronto-born Yankov has signed a three-year deal until the end of the 2026 season, with two option years in 2027 and 2028, using Targeted Allocation Money. 

The 23-year-old midfielder, who has been with Ludogoretz since signing as a youth player in 2016, is Montréal’s fifth senior signing of the offseason after the arrivals earlier this winter of goalkeeper Sebastian Breza and defender Joaquín Sosa from Bologna, Canadian wingback Raheem Edwards from LA Galaxy, and right-back Ruan from D.C. United.

Related read: MLS trade tracker 2023-24: All the offseason deals involving CF Montréal, Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps & Canadian players

Yankov brings a winning mentality, having captured four consecutive Bulgarian championship titles bwteeen 2019 and 2023, and experience in all three tiers of UEFA competition. He has 17 caps for Bulgaria since making his debut for the country in October 2020.

He now joins the team for preseason as CFM gear up for their first campaign under Courtois.

He looks unlikely to be the only signing we see at Montréal this week. Uruguayan striker Matías Cóccaro has already confirmed reports that he is signing for CFM from Huracán and was photographed over the weekend at Montréal-Trudeau Airport.