Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the club has acquired Costa Rican winger Christian BolaƱos. Want to learn more?
Here are 10 things you need to know about the clubās newest player.
1. WORLD CUP VET: BolaƱos has played in two FIFA World Cups with Costa Rica (2006 and 2014), appearing in a total of seven matches. In the 2014 World Cup, BolaƱos picked up two assists and converted his penalty shootout attempt in a quarter-final loss to the Netherlands.
2. BOLA: You know that we love nicknames here at Whitecaps FC. And we've learned that BolaƱos goes by the nickname "Bola."
3. GLOBAL EXPERIENCE: BolaƱos has played club soccer in four different countries: Costa Rica, Denmark, Norway, and Qatar. He also signed a loan deal with English Premier League side Charlton Athletic in 2006, but he failed to obtain a work permit so the deal fell through.
4. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: With Danish club F.C. Copenhagen, BolaƱos recorded three goals and three assists in 22 UEFA Champions League appearances.
5. BEST OF THE BEST: Teams BolaƱos has played against include Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea and Liverpool.
6. TURNING HEADS: Speaking of Liverpool, BolaƱos was invited to join them on a 10-day trial after playing against the English Premier League side in the 2005 FIFA Club World Cup.
7. BRONZE BALL: BolaƱos was the recipient of the Bronze Ball (awarded to the third best player in the tournament) at the aforementioned 2005 FIFA Club World Cup, in which Saprissa finished third. Longtime Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and current LA Galaxy midfielder won the Silver Ball, while Brazilian goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni won the Golden Ball.
8. FAMILY AFFAIR: BolaƱosā older brother, Jonathan, is a retired striker who played in North America with Chicago Fire in MLS and with Seattle Sounders and Rochester Rhinos in the USL First Division. Jonathan, a member of the 2000 Costa Rican Olympic team, also played with his brother Christian at Saprissa.
9. āCAPS CONNECTIONS: BolaƱos and Whitecaps FC defenders Kendall Waston and Jordan Smith are all alumni of Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa and members of the Costa Rican national team. BolaƱos also played against Whitecaps FC goalkeeper David Ousted three times in the Danish Superliga.
10. WINNER: BolaƱos has won a total of 14 trophies in Costa Rica and Europe.
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