TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Signing
The Vancouver Whitecaps added a Liga MX veteran and former Mexico international to their ranks on Thursday, announcing the signing of midfielder Efrain Juarez from Liga MX side Monterrey using Targeted Allocation Money.
The versatile Juarez, who can play at center midfield as well as right back, will occupy an international spot on Vancouver's roster.
“We are very excited to add Efrain to our group,” said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson in a team statement. “He’s an extremely talented player who has experience at the highest level, can play multiple positions, and fits the character type we want at our club. Efrain’s preferred position is in the middle of the park and that’s where I expect him to play the majority of minutes for us. We firmly believe in Efrain’s technical ability, grit, and leadership qualities and we look forward to seeing him with our group.”
Juarez spent two years in FC Barcelona's famed La Masia academy but made his professional debut in Liga MX with his previous youth team, Pumas UNAM. He spent two years in Europe with Celtic and Real Zaragoza before moving back to his native country in 2012, briefly joining Club América before landing at Monterrey a year later.
At the international level, Juarez has represented Mexico 39 times – including at the 2010 World Cup and in their 2009 and 2011 Gold Cup wins – but has not featured for El Tri since 2011. He was also part of the squad that won the 2005 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, where he was teammates with two current MLS forwards: Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy) and Carlos Vela (LAFC).
