Port Vale Football Club are delighted to announce that versatile left-sided player Cristian Montaño has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.

The West Ham youth academy graduate has played for multiple EFL clubs during his career before joining Port Vale, including two loan spells at Notts County and other loans at Swindon Town, Dagenham & Redbridge and Oxford United before making the permanent switch to Oldham Athletic in August 2012.

The Colombian born player then had a brief spell at América de Cali in his homeland country for the 2014/15 season before returning to English football where he signed for Bristol Rovers in July 2015.

He had a successful two-year stint at the Gas before moving to Port Vale, where he has become an integral part of the squad, with his versatility proving vital to Vale’s success over the past twelve months.

The 28-year-old has made 253 senior appearances over the course of his football career, scoring 30 goals throughout that time.

This includes 104 senior appearances and 13 goals for the Valiants.

Montaño has also made a huge impression off the pitch for Vale, speaking openly about the issue of mental health and how opening up to others has helped him throughout his career.

His work off the pitch led to him winning Port Vale’s PFA Community Champion Award for the 2019/20 season in relation to his vocal approach of spreading the word of the issue of mental health and for his hard work in the local community in tandem with the Port Vale Foundation Trust.

His willingness to spread the importance of talking about mental health has led to him becoming an ambassador for Men Unite, a group that offer mental health support to men.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve tied Monty down to the club for another year,” said Chief Executive Colin Garlick.

“I think Monty has developed into that dual role and we can play him in a number of positions, and having that flexibility in a player is important for John (Askey) and the squad.”

“It’s not just the playing side however, with what he brings to the club and the community, he has been outstanding this year both on and off the pitch.”

“We’ve now got another player of the squad, who was successful last year, tied down for another season, which makes the nucleus of a successful squad.”

Montaño’s new contract ties him down to the club until June 2021.