Octavio Rivero's run at the Vancouver Whitecaps came to an end on Wednesday, with the club announcing that the Designated Player has been transferred to Chilean side Colo-Colo.
The move closes the book on a frustrating spell for the 24-year-old Uruguayan forward, who struggled to find consistency with the 'Caps since signing with the the team in December 2014. He finishes his Vancouver career with 14 goals and four assists in his 52 appearances across all competitions.
“We thank Octavio for his contributions and wish him all the best in Chile,” said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson in a statement provided by the club. “We have built a solid foundation, and this move gives us flexibility moving forward as we continue to look to strengthen our roster for both the short and long term.”
Following the transfer, the Whitecaps currently have one Designated Player spot and one international slot open on their roster. They will be able to replace Rivero in the recently-opened MLS midseason transfer window, which runs through August 3. As part of the deal with Colo-Colo, the Whitecaps will receive a percentage of any future transfer fees obtained by the Chilean club.
While they search for Rivero's replacement, the 'Caps will likely count on the services of veteran forward Blas Perez, the well-traveled Panamanian who has mostly been used as a substitute this year. Robinson could also opt for Erik Hurtado, who started up top in the Amway Canadian Championship final against Toronto on Wednesday, while offseason acquisition Masato Kudo continues to recover from a fractured jaw.
Prior to playing for Vancouver, Rivero played for Central Espanol and Rentistas in his native country before moving to Chile with O'Higgins FC. He will return to Chile to play for the country's most decorated club – Colo-Colo hold a record 31 national titles and remain the only Chilean side to capture South America's top prize, the Copa Libertadores.
