The Vancouver Whitecaps bid goodbye to veteran defender Andy O’Brien on Wednesday, unable to come to terms on a deal to bring the 35-year-old Irishman back to BC Place in 2015.
O’Brien joined the club in 2012 and appeared in 45 regular season games over three seasons in Vancouver. A steady veteran defender with a career forged in the English Premier League and the Championship, O’Brien was a key factor in the team’s run to the postseason last year before they were eliminated in the Western Conference Knockout Round.
O’Brien’s contract ran out at the end of last season and the Whitecaps said in December they would remain in contact with the player, but it appears the two sides could not agree on a new deal.
O’Brien is the fourth defender to leave the club during the offseason, following retired veteran Jay DeMerit, Carlyle Mitchell (out of contract) and Johnny Leveron (option declined). The Whitecaps have been negotiating to bring back Leveron next season, but according to a report on Wednesday, the two sides are “not very close” to an agreement.
The Whitecaps did announce the acquisition of Uruguayan defender Diego Rodriguez on loan on Wednesday.
