“Whitecaps Set to Boost Roster with Two Major Signings”
The Whitecaps are closing in on two key additions to the roster for the upcoming 2023 MLS season.
Vancouver were looking for a good forward and a starting No. 1 goaltender, with the whitecaps completing two moves to strengthen both positions.
Daily Hive have learned that the Whitecaps are expected to finalize the transfer of Venezuelan striker Sergio Cordova as early as today. The Whitecaps are also in the final stages of acquiring Japan goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka from the Yokohama F Marinos.
— Sergio Cordova (@scordova22) February 6, 2023
Cordova would replace the late Lucas Cavallini as the Whitecaps’ top forward, competing for playing time with fellow forwards Brian White and Simon Becher.
Takaoka is expected to emerge as the No. 1 Whitecaps goaltender this season.
Whitecaps manager Vanni Sartini knows the club has been actively linked with both Cordova and Takaoka, but until both players are officially announced, he doesn’t say much.
“Yeah, it’s no secret that we’re close to these guys,” Sartini told Daily Hive over the weekend. “I’ll talk about them at length when I see them in person, if they come, hopefully they come. We are close.”
Cordova, 25, would join Vancouver from Bundesliga side FC Augsburg and take third place as the Whitecaps’ designated player.
Cordova’s move to the West Coast comes with a reported US transfer fee of $2.2 million.
After joining FC Augsburg in July 2017, Cordova spent last season on loan in MLS at Real Salt Lake. Cordova scored nine goals and added two assists in 33 games.
Cordova caught fire in the second half of the season and has scored five goals in their last 11 games. He also added a brace in Real Salt Lake’s elimination in the first round of the playoffs against Austin FC.
Takaoka, 26, joins Vancouver from the Marinos, where he has spent the last three seasons. Takoka has played 111 games in Japan’s first division.
Sources: Vancouver Whitecaps complete the signing of Japan goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka from Yokohama F. Marinos.
Takaoka, 26, has played 111 games in Japan’s top flight. Won the 2022 J-League title and was selected to the top XI. He is an excellent ball-playing goalkeeper. pic.twitter.com/NgnkfWhc7Y
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) February 3, 2023
“I can say that they are both very good players,” said Sartini. “One is a very good goalkeeper and the other is a good striker. I hope to be able to talk about them in the future because it means they will arrive.”
The Yokohama native would join a whitecaps club looking for consistency on the net.
Vancouver struggled to become a top-level goaltender last season, cycling through four goalies including Thomas Hasal, Cody Cropper and academy goalies Isaac Boehmer and Max Anchor.
Cordova and Takaoka would be the third and fourth additions to the Whitecaps’ roster of the offseason, joining central defenders Mathias Laborda and Karifa Yao.
After completing the transfer for the Takaoka, he could join the Whitecaps in Palm Springs, Calif. for the preseason while awaiting his visa.
JC Ngando, the 2023 Whitecaps’ fifth MLS SuperDraft pick overall, has yet to join Vancouver in Palm Springs as he continues to await the completion of his visa.
Vancouver will open the 2023 MLS regular season on Saturday February 25 at BC Place against Cordova’s former club Real Salt Lake.
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Source: dailyhive.com
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