VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC bolstered their attack on Wednesday, adding Guinean international winger Alhassane “Lass” Bangoura with the use of Targeted Allocation Money.
Bangoura, a 26-year-old who has spent the majority of his career in the top two divisions in Spain as well as a loan stint in France’s Ligue 1, joins Whitecaps FC on a one-year loan with an option to purchase from Spanish La Liga club Rayo Vallecano de Madrid S.A.D.
“Lass has the characteristics we look for in a winger,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Marc Dos Santos. “He’s explosive, good in one-vs-one situations, and he’s been exposed to a lot of different scenarios in Spain, France, and with his national team. We’re looking forward to welcoming him to the club.”
TRANSACTION: Whitecaps FC acquire Lass Bangoura, with the use of Targeted Allocation Money, on a one-year loan with an option to purchase from Spanish La Liga club Rayo Vallecano de Madrid S.A.D. on January 23, 2019. He will occupy an international roster spot and officially join the club's roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), work permit, visa, and medical examinations.
Whitecaps FC winger Lass Bangoura
- Eight-year pro in Spain’s La Liga and La Liga 2, and France’s Ligue 1
- Has spent entire career with Rayo Vallecano, including loan stints to Granada CF, Stade de Reims, and most recently UD Almería S.A.D.
- 11 goals in 102 starts and 187 appearances across all club competitions
- 34 appearances and four goals for Guinea men’s national team
After developing with his hometown club Étoile de Guinée, Bangoura moved to Madrid to join Rayo when he was 18, then made his first-team debut the following year in La Liga 2 competition. While at Rayo, the 5-foot-9 winger saw his club win promotion to La Liga two times in 2010-11 and 2017-18, spending five consecutive years competing in the top flight from 2011-12 through 2015-16.
His time at Rayo also included loan stints to La Liga club Granada CF in 2014-15, French Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims in 2015-16, and most recently with La Liga 2 club UD Almería S.A.D. in 2017-18.
A native of Conakry, Guinea, Bangoura has made 34 appearances and scored four goals for his national team, most recently playing in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last September.
Bangoura is Vancouver’s seventh acquisition since Dos Santos took over in November, as the club prepares for their March 2 regular season kickoff against Minnesota United FC at BC Place. For information on tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
Lass Bangoura
Pronunciation: las bang-goo-ra
Position: Winger
Height: 5-08
Weight: 150 pounds
Date of Birth: March 30, 1992 in Conakry, Guinea
Hometown: Conakry, Guinea
Citizenship: Guinea, Spain
Status: International
Last club: Rayo Vallecano (Spanish La Liga ’11-’16, La Liga 2 ’16-’18)
Instagram: @lassbangouraofficiel
