VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC added the first new attacking threat to their 2021 roster on Tuesday, acquiring Colombian winger Déiber Caicedo (kai-SAY-doh) via transfer from Deportivo Cali. Caicedo has agreed to a three-year contract through 2023, with a club option for 2024, and will officially join the roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate, work permit, and visa. Whitecaps FC acquired the MLS priority discovery rights for Caicedo from Nashville SC in exchange for $75,000 in 2021 General Allocation Money.
“After scouting Déiber for a few weeks in early September, we added him to our list of targets who fit our profile - a very fast and aggressive left sided winger,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC CEO and sporting director. “He is a young talent and will be playing outside of South America for the first time, it will be a transition and we will be patient with him. We are very happy to have him part of our family here at the 'Caps.”
Whitecaps FC winger Déiber Caicedo
- Operates primarily on the left-wing, also plays on the right side
- Joined Deportivo Cali’s academy in March 2013 and made his first team debut in February 2018, one-month before his 18th birthday
- Over three seasons with Deportivo Cali made 78 appearances across all competitions, scored seven goals and added 13 assists
- Averaged 5.76 touches in the opponent’s 18-yard box and 2.84 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in 2020
- Represented Colombia at the U-15, U-17 and U-20 youth international levels
“Déiber is a very humble kid. He had to work hard to get his first chance in Cali and from there he took all the right steps,” added Marc Dos Santos, Whitecaps FC head coach. “Déiber’s speed and dribbling ability will offer our attack a different and exciting new option. He has the dream to reach Colombia’s senior team and chose Vancouver because he believes that we can offer him the right platform to succeed and achieve his goals. He can grow a lot as a player, and we are very happy to have him join our club.”
Caicedo makes the move to Major League Soccer following three seasons in Colombia’s top-flight Categoría Primera A. The academy product of Deportivo Cali made his first team debut on February 3, 2018 and 11 days later scored his first goal.
Last year, the winger scored three goals and added four assists in 17 league matches and added one assist in eight appearances during cup competition. Caicedo helped Los Azucareros (The Sugar Makers) reach the final of the 2019 Copa Colombia, as well as the Round of 16 of the 2020 Copa Sudamericana. Across all competitions with Cali, the 20-year-old has made 78 appearances including 53 starts, scored seven goals and added 13 assists.
Internationally, the native of Barbacoas, Colombia participated in U-15 camps before representing his country at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India and the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.
Whitecaps FC currently have 25 players under contract for the 2021 Major League Soccer season including 15 players 23-years-old or younger.
TRANSACTIONS: On January 26, 2021, Whitecaps FC acquire winger Déiber Caicedo via transfer from Deportivo Cali. Caicedo has agreed to a three-year contract through 2023, with a club option for 2024. Whitecaps FC acquired the MLS priority discovery rights for Caicedo from Nashville SC in exchange for $75,000 in 2021 General Allocation Money. Caicedo will occupy an international roster spot and officially join the club's roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate, work permit, and visa.
Déiber Caicedo
Full Name: Déiber Jair Caicedo Mideros
Pronunciation: kai-SAY-doh
Position: Winger
Height: 5-05
Weight: 140 pounds
Date of Birth: March 25, 2000 in Barbacoas, Colombia
Hometown: Barbacoas, Colombia
Citizenship: Colombia
Status: International
Academy: Deportivo Cali (2013 – 2019)
Last Professional Club: Deportivo Cali (Categoría Primera A 2018 – 2021)
Acquired: Signed by Vancouver Whitecaps FC via transfer from Deportivo Cali on January 26, 2021
