TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
Vancouver Whitecaps FC continued building their roster on Friday, acquiring winger Cristian Dajome via transfer from Bogota FC.
The 26-year old Colombian, who hoisted the 2019 Copa Sudamericana while on loan with Ecuadorian Serie A Independiente del Valle last November, has agreed to an MLS contract through 2021, with an option for 2022. Dajome will occupy an international roster spot and the transaction was completed with the use of Targeted Allocation Money — pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), medical, work permit, and visa.
“Cristian fits our profile, he is excited about this new challenge, and he really wants to be here in Vancouver. We are thrilled to officially welcome him, and his family, to our club and city,” said Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster in a statement. “He is an experienced player, he has played close to 30 games in each of the last six seasons, and throughout the signing process we continued to hear how professional and positive he is both on and off the pitch.”
In 2019, Dajome was on loan to Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle highlighted by his stellar performance during the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana where he scored four goals and added two assists in 11 appearances to lead Los Negriazules to a historic championship. In Ecuadorian Serie A league and playoff competition, he scored an additional five goals and two assists in 27 appearances, in addition to making another start in the Copa Ecuador.
Prior to his move to Ecuador, Dajome had spent the entirety of his career in his native Colombia. He got his start with Bogota FC, compiling 20 goals in 84 appearances in Categoria Primera B and Copa Colombia competition in his first three years as a professional.
“Cristian is an explosive winger, who can play on either side, and can be very dangerous in the final third,” added Whitecaps head coach Marc Dos Santos. “His work ethic and commitment to his team stood out in last year’s Sudamericana and when we had the opportunity to acquire him, it was a sure thing in our minds. We are looking forward to having Cristian join our club.”
Dajome will join club-record signing Lucas Cavallini in the attack and is Vancouver's second signing in as many days as the club announced the addition of Cristian Gutierrez on Thursday.
