VANCOUVER, BC – It’s been a busy few days in ’Caps land with preseason training set to kick off.
New strikers Kei Kamara and Anthony Blondell arrived safe and sound at YVR yesterday. Kamara, who will wear number 23, spoke to the Vancouver media at the Official Whitecaps FC Store in Gastown earlier today. Blondell, who will wear number 9, will be introduced to the media in the coming days.
Earlier today, it was announced that midfielder Andrew Jacobson has retired following a 10-year professional career and that Sporting CP has purchased striker Fredy Montero from Chinese club Tianjin TEDA following the conclusion of the Colombian’s one-year loan to Vancouver. Whitecaps FC will maintain Montero’s Major League Soccer right of first refusal.
The club also confirmed that Christian Bolaños and Nosa Igiebor will not be returning. Following the 2017 season, the club did not exercise the midfielders’ options but remained in talks.
Last week, Deportivo Saprissa announced that Bolaños will be returning to his former club. Meanwhile, following numerous discussions with Igiebor and his representatives throughout the offseason, the club has decided to go in a different direction. Igiebor will go through MLS waivers in the coming days.
“We are thankful to Bola, Fredy, and Nosa for their time at the club and wish them all the best as they continue their careers,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson, who is currently in Orlando, Florida for the last day of the MLS Combine.
Finally, Canadian international centre back David Edgar will report to preseason as a training camp invite and the ’Caps remain in talks with midfielder Matias Laba, whose MLS rights belong to Vancouver.
Whitecaps FC have already acquired six new players this offseason, including 2017 Venezuelan Primera División leading goalscorer Blondell, two-time MLS all-star striker Kamara, and Canadian centre back Doneil Henry.
The ’Caps will also select 17th and 26th overall in Friday’s 2018 MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia (8 a.m. PT – live stream on whitecapsfc.com).
Players will report for the start of preseason this Monday.
