Vancouver Whitecaps add another Canada international in Marcel de Jong

Chicharito and Marcel de Jong, March 25, 2016

More help is on the way in Vancouver.


On the same day that David Edgar was announced as a new signing, the Whitecaps added a fellow Canadian international in Marcel de Jong. Like Edgar, de Jong put pen to paper on a deal that is 18 months long and includes an option.


"We are very familiar with Marcel, both from playing against him and his years with the national team," said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson in a statement. "He's a good professional who brings additional experience and versatility to our squad."


The 29-year-old left back that can also play in the midfield most recently suited up for the Ottawa Fury in the NASL, but spent 2015 with Sporting Kansas City. There, he started in 11 of the 13 league games he appeared in and tallied a goal and an assist.


Prior to signing with Kansas City, de Jong spent several years at FC Augsburg. He helped the German club gain promotion to the top flight from the 2. Bundesliga, and played for Roda JC Kerkrade in Dutch first division prior to that.


At the international level, de Jong has 45 appearances and three goals to his name with Canada. He has started each of the North American nation's last four 2018 World Cup qualifiers, and also represented it at four consecutive CONCACAF Gold Cups.


“I’m excited to join Whitecaps FC," said de Jong in the same statement. "After seeing the atmosphere at BC Place when the men’s national team hosted Honduras and Mexico, I knew I wanted to be a part of this club. I was teammates with Pa-Modou Kah in Holland, and a number of guys on the national team, so I’m looking forward to playing with them again.”