By Canadian Press

Whitecaps sign Paraguayan midfielder Andrés Cubas as designated player

Apr 28, 2022 | 11:00 AM

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps have acquired Paraguayan international midfielder Andrés Cubas via transfer from French club Nîmes Olympique.

The Whitecaps said in a release Thursday that Cubas has agreed to a four-year Major League Soccer contract and will count as one of the club’s three allowed designated players.

The deal includes an option for the final six months of 2026. Cubas will officially join the roster pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, work permit and visa.

Cubas has made 167 appearances at the club level in Argentina, France and Italy, scoring three goals and adding four assists.

He has spent the last two seasons playing with Nîmes in both the first and second divisions of French football.

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The 25-year-old leads Ligue 2 this season with 2.6 tackles per match and has the second most interceptions with 2.7 across 18 starts and 21 appearances.

Cubas started all 27 of his appearances in his first season with Nîmes and was sixth in Ligue 1 with 1.7 tackles per game.

Overall, he has made 50 appearances across all competitions in France, scoring two goals and adding three assists.

“I’m extremely happy to be a part of Vancouver Whitecaps FC,” Cubas said in a statement. “I’m excited to arrive in Vancouver, get to know my teammates, and help the team wherever needed. I will do my very best to bring joy to the club and all the supporters.”

Cubas started his career in the youth system of Argentine club Boca Juniors before moving up to the first team as a 17-year-old in 2014.

The defensive midfielder was a part of the club’s two Argentinian Primera División titles in 2015 and 2017, while recording an assist in 35 starts and 41 appearances for the club.

Cubas had loan spells with Italian Serie A side Delfino Pescara 1936 and Argentine club Defensa y Justica while with Boca Juniors.

Before making the transfer to Europe, Cubas played two seasons in the Argentinian Primera División with Club Atlético Talleres, recording a goal in 49 starts and 51 appearances across all competitions.

Cubas has won nine caps with Paraguay, making seven starts in World Cup qualifying, Copa America and friendly competition.

“We identified Andrés as one of our top targets during the off-season and actively started our pursuit in December,” Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster, said in a statement. “He is a ball-winning defensive midfielder, who will be key in organizing our midfield as he brings experience, leadership and maturity to our young group.”

MLS teams are allowed three designated players, whose total compensation and acquisition costs can exceed the player maximum of US$612,500 under the salary cap.

Vancouver’s two other designated players are Canadian striker Lucas Cavallini and Scottish midfielder Ryan Gauld.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2022.

The Canadian Press