TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Loan
The
reports
and
in recent days all pointed to
Anthony Blondell's
departure from Vancouver and the news was made official on Monday with the Whitecaps confirming they've loaned the center forward to Chilean side Huachipato FC for the 2019 season with an option for the receiving club to purchase his contract at the end of the loan.
The 24-year-old Venezuelan international came to MLS with great promise, but he only scored one goal in 18 total league appearances.
“This loan will allow Anthony to grow as a player," head coach Marc Dos Santos said in a club statement. “The timing of the loan is right not only for Anthony but also for where we are as a club, as we are looking to add two additional forwards to the roster. We will follow Anthony’s progression and at the end of the year we anticipate he will be better positioned for future success.”
The forward additions Dos Santos speaks about will be vital since the Blondell move leaves the Whitecaps with only one true striker on the 2019 squad (Theo Blair).
Last week the club did add three international players -- midfielders Jon Erice, Lass Bangoura and Lucas Venuto -- and Dos Santos still has five international roster spots available to be filled.
Blondell is the 19th player from the 2018 team who will not return in 2019, as the club changes over its squad under their new first-year head coach Dos Santos.
