Djordje Mihailovic among trio of CF Montreal players to train with Bologna this winter

Djordje Mihailovic is among three CF Montreal players who will spend time training with sister club Bologna this winter.

Both clubs are owned by Joey Saputo, who hasn't been shy in using the pipeline across the Atlantic, with English center-back Luis Binks joining Bologna after a successful spell in MLS with the Canadian side. Lassi Lappalainen has also been on loan with Montreal from the Red and Blues.

Mihailovic enjoyed a stellar 2021 campaign with Montreal, notching a league-high 14 primary assists during the regular season and scoring another four goals of his own. CFM were unable to make the Playoffs, but did beat Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship final to punch their ticket to the 2022 Concacaf Champions League.

Alongside Ismael Kone and Rida Zouhir, Mihailvovic - voted Montreal's MVP for 2021 - will spend the winter training with Bologna, who are currently 10th in Serie A. The United States international remains focused on returning to Montreal for the 2022 campaign, but has reiterated his long-standing desire to give it a shot playing in Europe.

"I've never been shy to say my goal is to play in Europe," the 23-year-old told reporters (via MLSsoccer.com). "When the right time and right situation comes for me and the club, it’ll be something to think about. Right now, I'm a Montréal player. Nothing has come forward yet, so I'm just focusing on resting and getting ready for the Concacaf Champions League next year."

Mihailovic is the most experienced of the Montreal trio heading to Italy. Kone, 19, only signed a professional contract with the Canadian club in the summer after training with Genk and Mouscron in Belgium. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Zouhir made two MLS appearances from the substitute's bench in 2021 after penning a homegrown deal earlier this year.