TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
The Vancouver Whitecaps' 2020 transformation continued Thursday with the club announcing the signing of Canadian-born left back Cristian Gutierrez via a free transfer from Chilean Primera Division club Colo-Colo.
“Cristian was looking for a new opportunity and we are excited to bring him to Vancouver,” Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster said in a statement. “He has the four cornerstones we look for in a player, he is fully aware of the challenge in front of him, and he is excited to continue his development in his native country.”
The 22-year-old native of Greenfield Park, Quebec native has agreed to a contract through 2021, with a club option for 2022 and 2023. Gutierrez came up through the Colo-Colo youth system and made 27 appearances for the first team, while also spending time on loan with Union Espanola and Huachipato.
“Cristian is a young left back who has some experience playing in Chile at the highest level,” added Whitecaps FC head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We believe that Cristián will continue to grow and develop at our club. We are very happy to add him to our roster.”
Over that span, he played in 52 league matches, in addition to 26 appearances in the Copa Chile
Gutierrez, who moved to Santiago, Chile when he was three years old, represented Chile at the 2017 CONMEBOL Sudamericano U-20 — starting all four matches — but is eligible for the Canadian national team.
