Davide Chiumiento is heading home.
The Vancouver Whitecaps announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to transfer the 27-year-old midfielder to Swiss Super League side FC Zürich. The Heiden, Switzerland, native joined Vancouver in August of 2010 after spending three years with fellow SSL side FC Luzern.
“I have really enjoyed my time in Vancouver and I would like to thank the fans, the club, and my teammates for all of their support,” Chiumiento in a statement. “It’s been two great years, but now I look forward to the next chapter of my career, which will fortunately bring me closer to my family.”
The creative midfielder started 15 games this season for the Whitecaps and, although he hadn't found his name on the scoresheet, his team-leading five assists were instrumental in leading Vancouver into a tie for third place in the Western Conference standings.
“Davide has been a very good player and ambassador for Whitecaps FC during his time with the club,” Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie said in a statement. “This is a great opportunity for him to be closer to his family while continuing his soccer career. We would like to thank Davide for all of his contributions to the club and wish him the best of luck in the future.”
In 2009-10, his last season in the Swiss Super League, Chiumiento recorded 11 tallies in 24 appearances for FC Luzern in what was the best performance of his professional career. He will join a Zürich side that finished sixth in the SSL last year.
