VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that the club has acquired wide midfielder Cristian Techera on a season-long loan, with a transfer option, from Club Atlético River Plate Montevideo of the Uruguayan Primera División – pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, as well as his Canadian work permit and visa.

Vancouver acquired the first right of refusal to Techera from Toronto FC in exchange for allocation money. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cristian to our club,” said head coach Carl Robinson . “He is a quick natural winger, who can play on both sides of the pitch. He has great technical ability and will excite in the attacking third.”



Whitecaps FC midfielder Cristian Techera

In 24 matches this season, scored 10 goals with River Plate Montevideo

Helped River Plate Montevideo qualify for the Copa Sudamericana the last two seasons

“I am very happy and excited to join Whitecaps FC,” add Techera. “I will work hard to support the team and will do everything I can to help our team achieve our goals.”



Techera made his professional debut with Atlético River Plate Montevideo of the Uruguayan Primera División in April 2010 at the age of 17. Over his six seasons in Uruguay’s top flight, Techera started 45 of his 74 appearances and scored 18 goals. In addition to the league play, the speedy Uruguayan started four matches and scored one goal in both the 2013 and 2014 Copa Sudamericana.



During the last three seasons at River Plate, Techera was teammates with striker Leandro Rodriguez, the younger brother of Whitecaps FC centre back Diego Rodríguez. Techera was also teammates with Whitecaps FC attacking midfielder Nicolas Mezquida on the regional team of Paysandú.



Prior to joining River Plate, Techera was a member of the youth set-up at Club Atlético Peñarol, also in Montevideo.



Cristian Techera

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-02

Weight: 150

Date of Birth: May 31, 1992

Birthplace: Paysandú, Uruguay

Hometown: Paysandú, Uruguay

Citizenship: Uruguay

Status: International

Last Club: Club Atlético River Plate Montevideo (Uruguayan Primera División)

Acquired: Season-long loan from Uruguayan Primera División side Club Atlético River Plate Montevideo on Thursday, April 9, 2015



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