

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the acquisition of Costa Rican centre back Kendall Waston from Costa Rica’s Primera División side Deportivo Saprissa – pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and medical exam. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. Waston is set to arrive in Vancouver tonight and will join his teammates at the 'Caps training centre on Saturday.



Whitecaps FC centre back Kendall Waston

- Scored 26 goals in 127 appearances in Costa Rica’s top division with Saprissa, Municipal Pérez Zeledón, and CF Universidad de Costa Rica

- Earned two caps with Costa Rica’s senior national team and was named to their 2014 FIFA World Cup provisional 30-man roster

- Started in Costa Rica’s 2-1 win over Scotland at Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, BC, during the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Kendall Waston highlights

“Kendall is a big, physical, aggressive centre back who has a nose for the net,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “He offers us a different look and we are excited to welcome Kendall to our club and city.”



Waston, 26, comes to Vancouver having played the majority of his career in Costa Rica’s Primera División. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound centre back recently completed the 2013-14 season with Saprissa scoring eight goals in 30 league and playoff appearances, while helping his side capture the Campeonato de Verano.



A member of Saprissa’s academy, Waston made his first team debut in March 2008. As a member of The Purple Monster he made 51 appearances and scored nine goals.



During that time, Waston enjoyed numerous loan spells including six-months with Club Nacional de Football of the Uruguayan Primera División during the second half of 2008, with Puerto Rican side Bayamón FC in the spring of 2010, as well as intra-league loans with CF Universidad de Costa Rica during the 2010-11 season and Municipal Pérez Zeledón in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Over the course of seven seasons in Costa Rica’s top flight Waston has scored 26 goals in 127 league and playoff appearances.



"I'm very excited and thankful about this new opportunity," said Waston. “I look forward to giving 100 per cent of my courage and heart to these fantastic supporters."



On the international stage, the native of San José, Costa Rica, has earned two senior caps with Los Ticos. Waston made his senior debut in a 1-0 friendly win over Canada at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, on May 28, 2013. Waston also helped Costa Rica defeat Honduras 1-0 during a CONCACAF 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match on June 7, 2013 and was named to their 2014 FIFA World Cup provisional 30-man roster. Waston has also featured for Costa Rica at U-15, U-17, U-20, and U-23 youth levels.



Kendall Waston

Pronunciation: waa-ston

Position: Defender

Height: 6-05

Weight: 195 pounds

Date of Birth: January 1, 1988, in San José, Costa Rica

Hometown: Limón, Costa Rica

Citizenship: Costa Rica

Status: International

Previous Club: Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica Primera División)

How Acquired: Acquired via transfer from Deportivo Saprissa



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