VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that the club has acquired central midfielder Tony Tchani from Columbus Crew SC, $225,000 in Targeted Allocation Money, and $75,000 in General Allocation Money in exchange for winger/forward Kekuta Manneh.
In the event Crew SC signs Manneh, who is in the last year of his contract, to a new contract, then Vancouver will also receive Columbus' natural first round MLS SuperDraft selection in the immediately following draft. Furthermore, Whitecaps FC will receive additional General Allocation Money if Manneh is traded by Columbus prior to December 31, 2018 and Vancouver will retain a percentage of any future transfer fee if Manneh is transferred outside of MLS.
Tchani will be added to Vancouver's MLS roster pending receipt of his international transfer certificate and Canadian work permit.
"We have acquired an experienced, athletic, box-to-box player in Tony, who will help solidify our midfield," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "Tony is someone I enjoyed working with during my time in New York and I'm excited to have him join our group. In addition, the allocation money provides further opportunity to strengthen our roster and depending on what's next for Kekuta, there is also the potential of additional returns.
"We are thankful to Kekuta for his contributions to this club over his four plus years. He is a good kid and a talented player who had some special moments in Vancouver, and we wish him all the best."
Tchani, 27, brings seven years of MLS experience to the club.
Most recently, the Cameroonian spent five seasons in Columbus, helping the Crew reach the 2015 MLS Cup Final after a year in which he recorded five goals and six assists. That year, Tchani also led Columbus with 1403 successful passes, which was the fifth highest total in MLS.
Prior to his move to Columbus, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound midfielder spent his first two seasons in MLS with New York Red Bulls, when Robinson was a player/assistant coach, and Toronto FC.
Tchani, who was drafted second overall in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, has appeared in 172 MLS regular season matches, recording 10 goals and 21 assists. In Cup play, Tchani has one goal in eight appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs, one assist in eight appearances in the U.S. Open Cup, and four appearances in the Canadian Championship.
A native of Bafang, Cameroon, Tchani received his U.S. citizenship in 2013 before appearing in a friendly for the Americans in January 2016 against Iceland. Tchani, however, is now cap-tied to his native Cameroon because of his participation in two 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Manneh, 22, joined Whitecaps FC as the fourth overall selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft - a pick Whitecaps FC acquired from Toronto FC. In total, the native of Bakau, The Gambia made 101 MLS regular season appearances with Whitecaps FC, scoring 22 goals and adding 12 assists.
Manneh also made three appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs, scored one goal in two CONCACAF Champions League appearances, and added one goal in 11 Canadian Championship appearances.
Tony Tchani
Pronounciation: CHA-knee
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-04
Weight: 185 pounds
Date of Birth: April 13, 1989 in Bafang, Cameroon
Hometown: Douala, Cameroon
Citizenship: Cameroon / United States
Status: Domestic
Previous Club: Columbus Crew SC
Transaction: Whitecaps FC acquired midfielder Tony Tchani from Columbus Crew SC, $225,000 in Targeted Allocation Money, and $75,000 in General Allocation Money, in exchange for winger/forward Kekuta Manneh. In the event Crew SC signs Manneh to a new contract, then Vancouver will also receive Columbus' natural first round MLS SuperDraft selection in the immediately following draft. Furthermore, Whitecaps FC will receive additional General Allocation Money if Manneh is traded by Columbus prior to December 31, 2018 and Vancouver will retain a percentage of any future transfer fee if Manneh is transferred outside of MLS
