Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Wednesday morning that the club has acquired striker Fredy Montero as a Designated Player on a one-year loan from Chinese Super League club Tianjin Teda.
The Whitecaps acquired Montero via the MLS Allocation Process after the club secured the No 1 spot in the Allocation Ranking from Minnesota United FC in exchange for $100,000 in General Allocation Money in 2018, $125,000 in Targeted Allocation Money in 2018, and an international roster spot through 2017.
"It's a great signing for us and we're delighted to welcome Fredy to our club," Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said in a club statement. "We have worked diligently throughout the offseason to strengthen the forward areas and today we have managed to add a very good striker in Fredy. He has proven throughout his career to be an elite attacking player and consistent goalscorer, and he is already familiar with the league and environment."
The 29-year-old Montero makes his return to MLS after breaking out with the Seattle Sounders from 2009 to 2012, during which time he became a three-time All-Star and the Sounders' all-time leading scorer (47 goals and 34 assists in 119 regular season appearances). His totals with the club also include seven goals and two assists while helping Seattle win three US Open Cup titles, as well as six goals and four assists in the CONCACAF Champions League.
"I'm really excited, so happy, and feel blessed," Montero said in the club statement. "I was looking forward to once again playing in Major League Soccer and I am so thankful to Whitecaps FC for giving me this opportunity. I can't wait to step onto the field, in front of the great Vancouver supporters, and start scoring goals."
In 2013 the Sounders loaned Montero out to Colombian giants Millonarios (10 goals in 27 appearances) and then Sporting Clube de Portugal, with the latter club making the move permanent and acquiring Montero from Seattle in January 2014.
In three seasons with Sporting, Montero registered 37 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, including five UEFA Champions League appearances and three goals and four assists in seven Europa League appearances. He also helped Sporting CP win the 2014-15 Taca de Portugal, by equalizing the match in added time, as the Leões would go on to win in a penalty shootout.
In early 2016, Chinese Super League club Tianjin Teda acquired Montero, who notched nine goals and three assists in 29 league appearances.
MLS FANTASY PRICE:
Fredy Montero – Forward – $9.0
SIMILAR TO: Dom Dwyer, Joao Plata, Cyle Larin
Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
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<strong>ROSTERED PLAYERS (29 of 28 spots filled):</strong> |
<p><strong>GK (3):</strong> David Ousted (INT'L), Spencer Richey, Paolo Tornaghi<br><strong>DEF (10):</strong> Christian Dean, Marcel de Jong, David Edgar, Jordan Harvey, Brett Levis, Jake Nerwinski, Tim Parker, Cole Seiler, Kendall Waston (INT'L), Sheanon Williams<br><strong>MID (11): </strong>Christian Bolaños (INT'L), Marco Bustos (HG), Alphonso Davies (HG), Deybi Flores (INT'L), Andrew Jacobson, Matias Laba (DP, INT'L), Ben McKendry (HG), Nicolas Mezquida (INT'L), Yordy Reyna (INT'L), Cristian Techera (INT'L), Russell Teibert (HG)<br><strong>FWD (5): </strong>Giles Barnes, Kyle Greig, Erik Hurtado, Kekuta Manneh, Fredy Montero (DP)</p><p><strong>DESIGNATED PLAYERS (DP): </strong>2<br><strong>HOMEGROWN PLAYERS (HG):</strong> 4<br><strong>INT'L ROSTER SPOTS FILLED (INT'L):</strong> 8<br><strong>GENERATION ADIDAS PLAYERS (GA):</strong> 0<br><strong>ON LOAN: </strong><em>Sam Adekugbe (HG)</em><br><strong>UNSIGNED DRAFT PICKS: </strong>Francis de Vries, Jorge Gomez Sanchez, Nazeem Bartman<br><strong>TRIALISTS: </strong><em>Daniel Lovitz</em></p> |
