The Vancouver Whitecaps players are in the midst of their preseason training and games, while their front office is making moves.
The ‘Caps already signed former Colorado Rapids midfielder Oliver Larraz a couple of weeks ago. (We unfortunately didn’t have time to write about him; we apologize.) On Thursday, it was confirmed that Joedrick Pupe was being sent out on loan to Belgian side Sint-Truidense V.V. through June 2026 with an option to buy.
Whitecaps Sporting Director and CEO Axel Schuster spoke to Global BC’s Asa Rehman on Wednesday. about the Whitecaps upcoming transfer plans.
“I can assure everybody we are working to improve the team, and we have done so already,” said Schuster. “We are very close to finishing three more deals, almost like four, that we will announce hopefully in the next seven days.”
Thanks to credible insiders, it appears that two are close to being finalized. The Whitecaps are reportedly closing in on signing Bruno Caicedo from Ecuador’s Barcelona SC and Aziel Jackson from Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok on loan with an option to buy.
Let’s take a look at the new signings.
Bruno Caicedo: The Young Ecuadorian
The last time Vancouver signed a young Ecuadorian player, it turned out pretty well in Pedro Vite. It seems like they want to try to replicate Vite’s success.
Cesar Luis Merlo and Studio Futbol first reported that the Whitecaps were moving in on the 21-year-old winger, on a four and a four-and-a-half-year contract has been agreed upon. It seems the fee will be one and a half million dollars.
The transfer was officially announced on Friday morning.
Caicedo can play as a left winger or a right winger. He came through the Barcelona SC academy and spent last season on loan at fellow Ecuadorian side Orense. Caicedo scored three goals and tallied two assists in 22 games with Orense last season.
The underlying numbers show some decent passing, but other than that, Caicedo leaves much to be desired.
Of course, with Caicedo being just 21, there is still a lot of room for growth. Vite turned out to be one of the Whitecaps key attackers before he was sold to Pumas UNAM last summer for a multi-million dollar fee.
A 2023 report by TargetScouting’s Jeroen Tegelaers on Caicedo described him as having strong legs despite his slim build. His strong legs help him protect the ball and win duels. Caicedo is also known to be speedy and good at aerial duels and dribbling. Basically, he is a modern touchline winger. Caicedo also has a decent shot and final ball and likes to crash the box.
However, he has the tendency to overdribble, and his passing execution has been inconsistent. Caicedo is also right-footed but needs better work on his left foot, according to the report. For the Whitecaps, it is a chance to polish a potential diamond in the rough.
Given what Ecuadorian pundits have been saying about Caicedo’s move to Vancouver, it seems like a good sign of the potential the player has.
Aziel Jackson: The American Reclamation Project
The Whitecaps have signed many reclamation projects over the years. Some worked out, and some didn’t.
In fact, several reclamation projects are on the roster currently. For instance, Ralph Priso, Emmanuel Sabbi, Brian White and Sebastian Berhalter. All four were key parts of the Whitecaps run to MLS Cup last season. Former Whitecap Jayden Nelson can also be considered a reclamation project.
While this is a loan for six months with an option (probably due to Ryan Gauld being out until April, as he underwent a successful arthroscopic debridement on his left knee), the Whitecaps are taking a punt on Aziel Jackson. The transfer was also officially announced on Friday morning.
Jackson is a 24-year-old American attacking midfielder who can play as a winger, striker and even deeper in the midfield.
He came through the New York Bulls, Toulouse and Blagnac academies before spending two seasons with the Minnesota United organization. But Jackson’s breakthrough was with the expansion side St. Louis City SC in 2023. The American played 25 MLS games that year and scored one goal and tallied six assists.
Jackson hasn’t reached those heights ever since. He then spent two seasons with the Columbus Crew and scored four goals and tallied three assists in 28 MLS games. (Including one playoff game.) Last summer, Jackson transferred to the Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok. He has just played 12 games in all competitions, and most were off the bench. Jackson has a chance to prove himself further and regain his form with the move back to MLS.
There are similarities between Nelson and Jackson. (Not just the hair.) Like Nelson, Jackson is quick, is good at controlling the ball and is a threat on transitions. However, much like Nelson, he struggles with consistency and creating scoring chances and can be quite frustrating.
Since Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen’s system is built on possession and quick transitions, perhaps Jackson can elevate his game and find a home. If not, the option to buy won’t be picked up.
Both Jackson and Caicedo hope to bring new energy and depth to the Whitecaps attack. Both are also boom or bust type signings.
