TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Loan
The Vancouver Whitecaps announced a notable addition to their midfield corps on the eve of the 2018 MLS season’s kickoff, completing the acquisition of English midfielder Jordon Mutch on Friday.
Mutch, 26, arrives from English Premier League side Crystal Palace on a 12-month loan deal. An attack-minded center mid, the former England youth international is already in Vancouver and could make his debut as soon as Sunday’s season opener at BC Place vs. Montreal (6 pm ET | TSN1/3, TVAS in Canada, MLS LIVE in US). He will be added to the roster pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, Canadian work permit and visa.
“Jordon is a top midfielder who has played at the highest level,” said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson in a team statement. “He’s played against the Chelseas, Arsenals, and Manchester Uniteds and now he wants to prove himself again in a new environment. He likes to get forward, he’s full of energy, and he’s in the prime of his career. We’re delighted to have him here.”
Mutch rose through the youth system at his local club Derby County before moving to Birmingham City, where he made his first-team debut in League Cup action at age 16 in 2008.
He would move on to Cardiff City in 2012, helping the Welsh side earn promotion to the Premier League that season, and after the Bluebirds were relegated in 2014 he was sold to Queens Park Rangers for a transfer fee reported to be upwards of $8 million.
Mutch transferred to Crystal Palace in January 2015 and with first-team minutes hard to come by, spent the second half of last season on loan with English Championship club Reading.
In total, Mutch recorded 17 goals and added 26 assists in 206 matches in all competitions. He scored 10 goals in the English Football League Championship and seven in the English Premier League, including three against Liverpool FC and one against Chelsea FC.
He will compete for playing time in a Whitecaps central midfield that already includes Efrain Juarez, Yordy Reyna, Nicolas Mezquida, Aly Ghazal, Rusty Teibert and David Norman Jr.
