Saskatchewan Roughriders trade Darian Durant to Montreal

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have traded quarterback Darian Durant to the Montreal Alouettes.

The Riders announced Friday that they have traded Durant'sCanadian Football Leagueplaying rights to Montreal in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2017 draft and a conditional selection in the 2018 draft.

Durant, 34,becomes a free agent in February.

He thanked Rider fans on his website Friday morning.

"This is a very emotional time for me right now and it's hard to put my thoughts together, but I wanted to send out a thank-you from the bottom of my heart," he said.

Durant said when he came to Saskatchewan 11 years ago, he could never have imagined the love and support he received from Rider fans around the world.

"Although I wanted to stay, everyone's time comes and this is mine," he said. "I have so many cherished memories of my time in Green. I'm excited for a new opportunity."

2 Grey Cup rings to his name

Durantled the Riders to a Grey Cup in 2013, but has been battling injuries in recent years, sitting out most of the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

He also has a Grey Cup ring from the Riders' 2007 championship win.

Riders head coach Chris Jones toldreporters he wanted Durant back, but the two sides could not come to terms on a new contract.

"About a week ago we went back to him with an offer," said Jones, who is also the Regina-based team's general manager.

"Unfortunately they rejected that offer and at that point it started becoming a reality we're staring at losing Darian Durant to free agency."

'You can't play forever': Rider head coach

Jones thankedDurantfor leading the team, but said whether or not he stayed, a search has been underway to find a No. 1 quarterback.

"When you're ...at the end of your career, I mean, you can't play forever," Jones said.

Jones noted the team won just five games withDurantin the past season.

The Riders currently have five quarterbacks under contract, all with minimal CFL experience.

The Alouettes have not signed Durant to a contract yet though, so Durant could still be a free agent by the middle of February.

Trade stuns Rider Nation

Minutes after the trade was announced, stunned members of what's called Rider Nation were flooding social media withreaction.

"The Riders just lost a lifelong fan," DonnaGyslersaid onFacebook."Good luck,Darian. I hope you win another ring this year."

• Shockwaves through Rider Nation as fans react to Durant trade

When Les Covey heard about the trade he was immediately worried about what the next season will bring.

"I thought I had just spent $1,300 on season tickets into the new stadium, and that we're probably going to have another 2-12 season because we just traded away the only quarterback on our roster that has any experience whatsoever," said Covey.

"Please say this is a cruel Friday the13thjoke!" JenniferTuppersaid in a tweet.

Tim Rodgers, a longtime fan, said what he's most upset about is that theRiders' first season in the team's new stadium won't include Durant.

"I think for the past couple of years with the new stadium, you know, everyone's thought about opening day and Darian Durant running out on the field and I think it's unfortunate that's not going to happen now," said Rodgers.

Despite his skepticismRodgers is still looking forward to the new stadium and the 2017 season.

Big news in Montreal

The Alouettes announced the deal on their website with a big picture of Durant in a Montreal jersey.

"We are more than pleased to be able to acquire a quarterback of the calibre of Darian Durant and we are confident that we can reach a new agreement with him,"Alouettesgeneral manager Kavis Reed said in a statement.

"As we stated from the get-go, our intention was to acquire a veteran quarterback and we just obtained a player who continues to perform at a high level, which will make him the ideal role model for our young quarterbacks."

Since Anthony Calvillo retired ahead of the 2014 season, Montreal has struggled to find a permanent replacement at the quarterback position.

Over the course of the 2016 season, three different quarterbacks made starts for the Alouettes.