Bernier returns to Impact for final season before retirement

Montreal Impact captain Patrice Bernier is returning to the club for the 2017 MLS season, with the French-Canadian outfit announcing Monday that the midfielder has re-signed on a one-year contract.

"I am very excited to be able to finish my playing career at home with the Impact," Bernier said in a club-issued statement. "I am proud that this will be my 18th professional season, including nine with the Impact. For my last season, I will give everything for the club and the city, with a hope that we finish with the MLS Cup."

The 37-year-old will return for one final playing season with his hometown side before transitioning into a new role as an academy coach starting in 2018, according to the club's technical director, Adam Braz.

"He will be the eighth former Impact player to have such a role within the club, which demonstrates a very clear philosophy when it comes to the makeup of our technical staff," Braz explained.

Bernier joined the Impact five years ago and has since featured in a club-leading 124 matches, scoring 13 goals and recording 21 assists. The Quebec-born Canada international was named captain in 2014, and re-joins the club for one final season before retiring.

"We are very happy and proud to confirm that our captain will be back for another season," Impact owner and president Joey Saputo said in a statement. "There was never the shadow of a doubt that Patrice would stay with us, as he belongs to a category of players from Quebec who will always have a place in our club.

"He is an example and a role model for all our players, on the field and outside of it as well."