VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Wednesday that the club has acquired striker Fabián Espíndola from D.C. United in exchange for general allocation money - pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, medical, Canadian work permit.
Fabián Espíndola - Whitecaps FC striker
- 73 goals, 42 assists in 252 appearances during his 10 MLS seasons in all competitions
- 19 appearances in both the MLS Cup Playoffs and CONCACAF Champions League
- Ranks seventh overall in active goal scorers in MLS regular season play with 64
- Won the 2009 MLS Cup and reached the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League Final with Real Salt Lake, hoisted the 2013 MLS Supporters' Shield with New York Red Bulls
"We are thrilled to welcome Fabián to Vancouver," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "He is a proven goal scorer in this league, always difficult to play against, and knows what it takes to win."
Espíndola, 31, is currently in his 10th season in Major League Soccer, having first joined the league with Real Salt Lake in 2007 before spending the 2013 season with New York Red Bulls and the past two and a half seasons with D.C. United.
This season with the Black-and-Red, Espíndola has started 10 of 15 regular season appearances, scoring four goals, and adding one assist. During his two and half seasons in the United States capital, the 5-foot-9 striker scored 20 goals and added 20 assists in 64 appearances in MLS regular season and playoffs, as well as four goals and one assist in five CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) matches.
Prior to his move to Washington, D.C., the Argentinean made 28 regular season appearances, recorded nine goals, and two assists en route to leading New York Red Bulls to their first Supporters' Shield with the best record in MLS.
During his first six seasons in the league, Espíndola helped Real Salt Lake capture the 2009 MLS Cup and a runner-up finish in the 2010-11 CCL. As a member of the Claret and Cobalt, Espíndola scored 36 goals and added 17 assists in 138 MLS matches. He also scored two goals and added one assist in 13 CCL matches.
Espíndola began his professional career in his native country of Argentina, debuting with Primera División giants Boca Juniors in 2005, where he was a member of that year's Copa Sudamericana champion team. In 2006, he joined C.A. Talleres of the second division. Before joining MLS, Espíndola spent two seasons in Ecuador, featuring for S.D. Aucas in 2006, then for S.D. Quito in 2007. Also, during the 2009 MLS offseason Espíndola signed with Venezuelan Primera División side Deportivo Anzoátegui.
Fabián Espíndola
Pronunciation: Fah-bee-AHN es-SPEEN-doh-lah
Position: Striker
Height: 5-09
Weight: 160 pounds
Date of Birth: May 4, 1985 in San Luis, Argentina
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Citizenship: Argentina
Status: Domestic (Green Card)
Previous Club: D.C. United (MLS: 2014-2016)
How Acquired: Acquired from D.C. United in exchange for general allocation money on July 20, 2016
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