They didn't get the news out until Friday morning, but the Vancouver Whitecaps managed to sneak in defensive reinforcements before the end of the transfer window.
Well, more like reinforcement, as the club announced the acquisition of Costa Rican center back Kendall Waston from Costa Rica's Primera División side Deportivo Saprissa pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and medical exam. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Waston is set to arrive in Vancouver Friday night and will join his teammates at the 'Caps training center on Saturday, and he already has head coach Carl Robinson salivating at what he might bring to the club.
“He’s a monster, isn’t he?” Robinson said. “He’s very physical, he’s big, he’s strong, he defends, he’s aggressive, and he scores some goals.”
The 6-foot-5 defender scored 26 goals in 127 appearances in Costa Rica's top division with Saprissa, Municipal Pérez Zeledón, and CF Universidad de Costa Rica. He's also earned two caps with Costa Rica's senior national team and was named to their 2014 FIFA World Cup provisional 30-man roster.
Following Jay DeMerit's retirement, Watson will compete with Andy O'Brien, Johnny Leverón and Carlyle Mitchell for time in the middle of Robinson's back four.
