Vancouver Whitecaps release Marco Bustos to allow signing with OKC Energy

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Release

The Vancouver Whitecaps parted ways with former Homegrown PlayerMarco Bustos on Wednesday, mutually agreeing to void his MLS contract to allow the Canadian midfielder to join USL side Oklahoma City Energy FC.

"We’ve watched Marco grow and mature within the club. He’s a good kid, with a good head on his shoulders, and we wish him nothing but the best as he pursues this new opportunity with OKC," said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson in a club release.

A Winnipeg native who joined the Whitecaps youth system in 2011, Bustos signed his Homegrown deal with VWFC in September 2014 and made four MLS appearances over the 2015 and 2016 seasons. After signing a contract extension in January of this year, he spent most of 2018 on loan at Mexican second-division side Zacatepec, a deal that was originally set to run through June 2019, but has been cut short to facilitate his USL move. 

“I’d like to thank the Whitecaps for giving me the chance to start a dream of mine, the staff and coaches, especially Gordon Forrest and Steve Meadley, who have helped me become the footballer and person I am today,” said Bustos in VWFC's release. “I can’t wait to see what my future holds, but Vancouver will always be special to me.”