Top Stories

Whitecaps sign Uruguayan forwards Fernandez, Mezquida

SebastianFernandezUniversitario3 (Terra)

By DAN KARELL

The Vancouver Whitecaps have dipped back into the South American market to find a replacement for last year’s MLS Golden Boot winner Camilo.

On Wednesday, the Whitecaps signed a pair of Uruguayan forwards for the upcoming season, Sebastian Fernandez and Nicolas Mezquida, pending their international transfer certificates (ITC), Canadian work permits, and visas. Fernandez comes to Vancouver on a one-year loan with an option to buy while Mezquida joins on a full transfer. Both players were signed from Uruguayan second division club Boston River.

“Sebastián and Nicolás are exciting young attacking players with a lot of potential,” Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said in a statement. “Both players like to play with the ball on the ground and are not afraid to attack defenders one-on-one with pace.”

The 24-year-old Fernandez joins after spending the 2013 campaign with Peruvian giants Universitario, scoring five times in 26 games as the club went on to win the league title. Fernandez in the past also played for San Luis FC in Liga MX and Danubio back in his native Uruguay.

Mezquida meanwhile joins after a season with Rampla Juniors in the Uruguayan second tier. The 22-year-old midfielder/forward scored just once in ten appearances. He also played with Centro Atletico Fenix in Uruguay and spent 2011 on loan with Norwegian clubs SK Brann and Lillestrøm.

Mezquida was also in the Uruguay squad at the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, scoring one goal in three appearances.

————

What do you think of these signings? Think they can help replace the loss of Camilo? Do you expect Fernandez to step in and start?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I wouldn’t worry about Omar. He’s looking great in preseason (potted 2 goals today). Expect him to be starting come First Kick.

    Reply
    • the US has 6 starters that are 97.. very young line up you have to be impressed by their play against a much older Argentina squad

      Reply

Leave a Comment