TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
The Vancouver Whitecaps acquired center back Jose Aja via a trade with Orlando City SC on Saturday, in exchange for an initial cost of $125,000 in 2019 Targeted Allocation Money.
Orlando will also receive an additional $100,000 in TAM if the Uruguayan is on the Whitecaps’ roster next season, as well as Vancouver's 2021 natural second-round SuperDraft pick if Aja remains with the club during the 2020 campaign. The Lions will also retain a percentage of any future transfer fee if Aja is transferred outside of MLS.
“Jose is a player who I first identified while scouting Cristian Techera in Uruguay three years ago,” said Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson in a club release. “He's a big lad who is very comfortable on the ball. He will add another dimension to the group and complement our backline well, and he understands the league now after playing in MLS for 18 months. We're excited to welcome him to our team and continue to help him grow to his full potential.”
Orlando City acquired Aja on a six-month loan from Uruguay’s Club Nacional de Football in July 2016 and later signed him to a four-year contract that December. He played and started in 15 of City’s 34 league games last year and becomes the third Uruguayan on VWFC's roster.
Saturday’s transaction comes in the wake of multiple reports that Vancouver’s starting center back Tim Parker has requested a trade after he and the club were unable to agree to terms on a new contract, with the New York Red Bulls, D.C. United and the Montreal Impact mentioned as leading suitors for the rising US national team prospect.
