VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC bolstered their attack on Friday, acquiring winger Cristian Dájome via transfer from Colombian club Bogotá FC.
The 26-year old Colombian midfielder, who hoisted the 2019 Copa Sudamericana on loan with Ecuadorian Serie A Independiente del Valle last November while co-leading his side in goalscoring, has agreed to an MLS contract through 2021, with an option for 2022. Dájome will occupy an international roster spot and the transaction was completed with the use of Targeted Allocation Money - pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), medical, work permit, and visa.
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Whitecaps FC winger Cristian Dájome
- Hoisted Copa Sudamericana in 2019, co-leading Independiente del Valle with four goals in 11 tournament appearances
- Across all competitions, scored nine goals and added four assists in 39 appearances on loan with Ecuadorian Serie A side Independiente del Valle in 2019
- Has 36 goals in 207 appearances across all competitions since making his professional debut in 2013 through 2018 in his native Colombia
“Cristian fits our profile, he is excited about this new challenge, and he really wants to be here in Vancouver. We are thrilled to officially welcome him, and his family, to our club and city,” said Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster. “He is an experienced player, he has played close to 30 games in each of the last six seasons, and throughout the signing process we continued to hear how professional and positive he is both on and off the pitch.”
In 2019, Dájome was on loan to Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle highlighted by his stellar performance during the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana where he scored four goals and added two assists in 11 appearances to lead Los Negriazules to a historic championship. In Ecuadorian Serie A league and playoff competition, he scored an additional five goals and two assists in 27 appearances, in addition to making another start in the Copa Ecuador.
“Cristian is an explosive winger, who can play on either side, and can be very dangerous in the final third,” added Whitecaps FC head coach Marc Dos Santos. “His work ethic and commitment to his team stood out in last year’s Sudamericana and when we had the opportunity to acquire him, it was a sure thing in our minds. We are looking forward to having Cristian join our club.”
Prior to his move to Ecuador, Dájome had spent the entirety of his career in his native Colombia. He got his start with Bogotá FC, compiling 20 goals in 84 appearances in Categoría Primera B and Copa Colombia competition in his first three years as a professional.
Beginning July 2015 through December 2018, Dájome had stints with Categoría Primera A clubs Cúcuta Deportivo, Deportes Tolima, Atlético Nacional, Deportivo Pasto, and América de Cali. He scored 18 goals in 123 appearances across all competitions during this stretch, including FIFA Club World Cup, Copa Libertadores, and Copa Sudamericana.
Dájome has 47 goals in 197 starts and 246 appearances across all competitions since making his professional debut in 2013.
TRANSACTION: On January 17, 2020, Whitecaps FC acquired Cristian Dájome from Colombian club Bogotá FC with the use of Targeted Allocation Money - pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), medical, work permit, and visa. Dájome agreed to an MLS contract through 2021 with an option for 2022.
Cristian Dájome
Pronunciation: DA-HO-may
Position: Winger
Height: 5-08
Weight: 155 pounds
Date of Birth: January 3, 1994 in Bogotá, Colombia
Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia
Citizenship: Colombia
Status: International
Previous Clubs: Bogotá FC (‘13 to ‘19), most recently on loan with Independiente del Valle (Ecuadorian Serie A ‘19)
