New York Red Bulls sign Karl Ouimette

Reported by Goal.com, confirmed by the New York Post's Brian Lewis...

Can confirm Goal report that the Red Bulls inked trialist defender Karl Ouimette, 22, capped by Canada. More signings to come Thursday #RBNY

— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) March 4, 2015

...and subsequently confirmed by the man himself...

I want to thank @NewYorkRedBulls for giving me the opportunity to help the team achieve big goals in the future!!!

— Karl Ouimette (@karlouimette) March 4, 2015

...it seems safe to say the New York Red Bulls have signed former Montreal Impact and current (per the last round of call ups) Canada national team player, Karl Ouimette.

Ouimette turned pro in 2012, joining Montreal as the club's first homegrown signing in MLS - and clocking 66 minutes in the regular season for his head coach at the time, Jesse Marsch. In three seasons with Montreal, Ouimette logged 20 appearances (under three coaches: Marsch, Marco Schallibaum, and Frank Klopas), 15 starts, 1447 minutes, 1 goal and 1 yellow card.

He contributed to Montreal's back-to-back Canadian Championship titles in 2013 (when he started the first leg of L'Impact's semifinal against Toronto FC) and 2014 (when he started all legs of the semifinal and final). He has six caps for Canada since making his national team debut in 2013, but five of those appearances have come in his country's last five games - so he might be considered a regular at this moment.

Ouimette is increasingly thought of as a center back, but he has played left back in the past and therefore might be considered cover for Roy Miller. Unfortunately, if his international career continues to blossom, he may well find himself called up at the same time as Miller on FIFA dates and for this summer's Gold Cup, which would seem to speak against the notion he'll provide much by way of back-up for RBNY's senior man on the left side of defense.

The squad now boasts five center backs to start the year (and Armando). This might suggest Ouimette is penciled in for time with the USL team this season.

If he can get any minutes in MLS, the Quebec native should at least find the Red Bulls' back line accommodating. He joins Ronald Zubar (French), Damien Perrinelle (French), Chris Duvall and Andrew Jean-Baptiste (French-sounding surnames) in a defensive corps that has an increasingly Gallic flavor, although he will be in competition with three of those players for time in the center of defense.

The addition of the 22-year-old defender means RBNY currently has 25 players on the roster for the 2015 season, and (Armando).