11.02.2013, 11:38
Simonet set for Montpellier switch

Argenitinian international will leave Ivry at the end of this season

Simonet set for Montpellier switch

Diego Simonet is set to move clubs at the end of this season after signing a three year contract with French club Montpellier Agglomération Handball.

Having played for two years in France with first division rivals Ivry, the Argentinian centre back has decided to sign for the VELUX EHF Champions League participants.

At 23 years of age, Simonet has already played in two World Championships with Argentina, with many observers citing him as one of the best players in Argentine handball.

The contract will begin on 1 July, and he will be Montpellier's fourth recruit for next season, after the return of French goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer from THW Kiel, and the signatures of two Slovenians, Jure Dolonec and Matej Gaber.

Diego Simonet will have the hard task of making up for the loss of Nikola Karabatic, who has just left Montpellier and signed for Aix en Provence.

"I want to thank everybody in Ivry and let them know they will always have a special place in my heart.

“It will be hard playing without my brother in Montpellier, but I'm sure I'll find myself in a very competitive squad next year," Diego Simonet was quoted on sports.fr.

Meanwhile, Montpellier find themselves in a battle for the fourth and final Last 16 spot from Group A in the VELUX EHF Champions League after losing 30:28 to Reale Ademar Leon on Sunday.

Both clubs are now level on five points with two games in the Group Phase remaining.

Picture credit: Bertrand Delhomme

TEXT: Nicolas Chardon / cor