VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that the club has signed forward Déiber Caicedo to a contract extension through 2024, with an option for 2025, and subsequently loaned him to Colombian Categoría Primera A side Junior FC through July 31, 2024. The loan agreement includes an option to purchase.
Caicedo, 23, made two starts and 21 appearances across all competitions this season after recovering from a meniscus tear in his right knee suffered back on July 26, 2022.
“This move made sense for both Déiber and the club,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “He returns to Colombia, a familiar environment, with the goal to play regular minutes and regain the form he had prior to his injury. We wish him all the best at Junior FC and will follow his progress closely.”
In total, the native of Barbacoas, Colombia has started 40 of his 75 appearances across all competitions for Whitecaps FC, tallying six goals and 12 assists after arriving via transfer in March 2021 from Colombian side Deportivo Cali.
Prior to joining MLS, 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, Caicedo started 53 of his 78 appearances, recording seven goals as well as 13 assists after coming through their academy and signing a first team contract in 2018.
Founded in 1924, Junior FC compete in Categoría Primera A and are based out of the city of Barranquilla. The team plays their home matches at Estadio Metropolitano, which is also the official home stadium of Colombia’s men’s national team.
With the loan, Whitecaps FC have four forwards on their first team roster in Simon Becher, Sergio Córdova, Levonte Johnson, and Brian White.
Caicedo is the second Whitecaps FC player on loan, joining Brazilian midfielder Caio Alexandre (Fortaleza EC).
TRANSACTION: On August 3, 2023, Whitecaps FC sign forward Déiber Caicedo to a contract extension through 2024, with an option for 2025, and subsequently loaned him to Junior FC through July 31, 2024, which includes an option to purchase.
