TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Transfer
Iraqi international Ali Adnan, brought on to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC squad as a loanee from Italian team Udinese in March, will now be one of the team's Designated Players.
The 'Caps announced on Friday that they have completed a deal to acquire Adnan on a permanent basis, confirming media reports from earlier in the day about the talented defender's status. Though specific figures were not disclosed, WhitecapsFC.com stated that the deal has set "an MLS transfer record for the fullback position."
The contract runs through the end of the 2021, with a club option for 2022.
Adnan, 25, spent more than three seasons in Serie A (including a loan stint at Atalanta) before coming to MLS for the 2019 season. Before playing with Udinese, Adnan played professionally in Turkey for Çaykur Rizespor and in Iraq for Baghdad FC.
"From my first day at this club, I feel like I’m at home," Adnan said in a club release. "It’s not easy to find a club like this. I am very thankful to the club’s ownership, coaches, staff, and my teammates. The fans and city of Vancouver have been extremely welcoming and supportive. I look forward to representing everyone at the club to the best of my ability.”
Adnan debuted March 30, starting in all 16 matches since then, chalking up a goal, two assists and according to the Whitecaps' site, an impressive accumulation of stats, including 136 duels won (second most by a defender, sixth most overall), 47 aerials won (fourth most by a fullback, 18th most overall), 35 completed dribbles (most by a defender, tied for 13th most overall) and 71 passes played into the opponent's box (tied for third most by a defender).
“Ali has been a great addition to our club since arriving in March,” Whitecaps head coach Marc Dos Santos said. “He understands our defensive principles and has an incredible ability to join the attack, create in the last third, which is very important for teams that want to have an impact offensively using their fullbacks.”
