Vancouver Whitecaps FC solidified their back line on Friday with the acquisition of experienced centre back Érik Godoy.
The 25-year-old Argentine joins Whitecaps FC on a one-year loan with an option to purchase from Argentina’s Club Atlético Colón. The transaction was completed with the use of Targeted Allocation Money. Godoy will occupy an international roster spot and officially join the club’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), work permit, and visa.
“Érik is a dynamic centre back with really good experience for his age,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Marc Dos Santos. “The Argentine league is an aggressive and intense league, a very competitive type of soccer. In watching Érik and talking to him, we felt that he suits well what we want to do here.”
Whitecaps FC centre back Érik Godoy
- Eight years of professional experience in the top tier Superliga Argentina
- More than 140 starts with Club Atlético Tigre, Club Atlético Belgrano, and Atlético Colón
- Eight combined starts in the Copa Sudamericana and Copa Libertadores
Godoy is entering his prime after playing the past eight years in his native Argentina with Tigre, Belgrano, and Colón. During his career in his home country he accumulated more than 140 starts in the top tier Superliga Argentina, also known as the Primera División, as well 10 appearances in the Copa Argentina. In that time, the native of Buenos Aires scored six goals in all competitions.
The newest addition to the Blue and White enters training camp having recently made 10 starts and 11 appearances with Colón during the current 2018-19 Superliga season.
In international cup competition, Godoy made one start in the Copa Libertadores with Tigre, as well as seven starts in the Copa Sudamericana with both Tigre, where he started the second leg of the final in 2012, and most recently with Colón in 2018.
Godoy is the fifth defender signed to the roster this offseason, along with left back/winger Victor “PC” Giro, centre backs Derek Cornelius and Jasser Khmiri, and right back Scott Sutter.
Whitecaps FC also announce the acquisition of 20-year-old Uruguayan striker Joaquín Ardaiz as a Young Designated Player on a year-long loan, with an option to purchase, from Swiss Super League club FC Chiasso. Ardaiz will occupy an international roster spot and officially join the club’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), work permit, visa, and medical examinations.
“Joaquín is a young striker with a very high ceiling and has the physical and technical tools to succeed in MLS,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Marc Dos Santos. “He’s at the early stages of his career and we’re going to work with him to reach his full potential. We believe in his ability and we’re looking forward to adding him to the team.”
Whitecaps FC striker Joaquín Ardaiz
- Represented Uruguay at the U-15 and U-20 levels, including the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup
- Won the 2017 South American U-20 Championship with Uruguay, scoring two goals to clinch the title
- Experience playing at top division clubs in Uruguay, Belgium, and Italy
- Nominated for Tuttosport’s 2018 Golden Boy award for the best U-21 player at a European club after scoring five goals as an 18-year-old with Belgium’s Royal Antwerp FC
Ardaiz most recently had a short loan spell at Italian Serie A club Frosinone Calcio, making one appearance against Lazio last September, before being recalled later that month.
The 6-foot-1 striker first ventured outside of his home country at 18 years old, joining Belgium First Division club Royal Antwerp FC as a highly regarded international prospect. He would go on to score five goals in 13 starts and 21 appearances in league action and UEFA Europa League playoffs, as well as make two appearances in the Belgian Cup. At the end of the 2017 season, Ardaiz was recognized 36th in Goal.com’s NxGn’s list of the 50 best teenagers in the world. Ardaiz was also named one of 100 finalists for the 2018 Tuttosport Golden Boy award for the best U-21 player at a European club.
After coming through the youth academy of Uruguay’s Danubio FC that famously produced Uruguayan national team striker Edinson Cavani, Ardaiz made his professional debut for the club’s first team as a 17-year-old in February 2016. The native of Salto, Uruguay would go on to make 29 appearances as a teenager in the Primera División, scoring four goals.
At the international level, Ardaiz has represented his country at both the U-15 and U-20 levels. In 2017, he would score two goals against Ecuador to clinch the South American U-20 Championship title for Uruguay, going on to make another seven appearances for his country as they finished fourth at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
