The Vancouver Whitecaps have added another Uruguayan to their ranks.
Uruguayan club Juventud de Las Piedras announced on Twitter on Wednesday that they have sent 24-year-old defender Diego Rodriguez to Vancouver on a season-long loan. The Whitecaps subsequently confirmed the signing, which is a loan with a purchase option at season's end.
"Diego is a technically sound left-footed center back with great upside," said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said in a a club statement. "He brings experience from both South America and Europe and we are excited to welcome him to our club."
Rodriguez is the second Uruguayan to join the Whitecaps this offseason; Vancouver signed 22-year-old forward Octavio Rivero to a Young Designated Player contract on Dec. 25.
"I'm very happy and grateful for this opportunity," said Rodriguez, also in the Whitecaps' statement. "I was attracted to the direction of the club and the growth of MLS. I'm ready to get going and play in front of Vancouver's fantastic fans."
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Rodriguez developed at Uruguayan club Montevideo Wanderers, playing in their academy before graduating to the senior team in April 2010. He moved to La Liga side Malaga in the summer of 2011, racking up extensive experience with their reserve squad but never appearing for their first team in two years in Spain. The former Uruguay Under-20 international moved back to his home country in January 2014 to join Juventud.
The reported move gives the Whitecaps three Uruguayans on their roster, with midfielder Nicolas Mezquida set to come back for his second year in Vancouver in 2015. Another Uruguayan, Sebastian Fernandez, did not have his 2015 option picked up by the ‘Caps and moved to Mexican club Necaxa this winter.
