Mustapha Jarju

Mustapha Jarju joins Whitecaps FC after three successful seasons with Belgian club Royal Albert-Elisabeth Club (RAEC) de Mons. Last season, the native of Banjul, Gambia, helped RAEC Mons win promotion to Belgium's top-flight Jupiler Pro League after two seasons in the Belgian Second Division. During the 2010-11 season, the 24-year-old scored 25 goals and added 13 assists in all competitions, including 18 goals in 33 league matches, four goals in six playoff games, and three goals in two Belgian Cup matches. During his three years with RAEC Mons, the 6-foot, 160-pound striker scored 43 goals in 118 appearances. Prior to his time with RAEC Mons, Jarju scored 26 goals in two seasons with Belgium's Lierse SK. This included 10 goals during the 2006-07 Jupiler Pro League season. Before moving to Belgium, Jarju played with Gambian clubs Reggae Boys, Wallidan, Racing Star and Steve Biko FC. Internationally, Jarju, is alternate captain of the Gambian national team and has scored four goals in 25 senior appearances, primarily as midfielder, for the West African nation. Jarju also appeared for The Gambia at youth international level, where he was captain of his country's U-17 and U-20 national teams and was also a member of the U-23s.