VANCOUVER, BC - An important piece on the ’Caps backline is returning to the fold.



Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Wednesday that the club has acquired centre back Érik Godoy from Club Atlético Colón via transfer with the use of Targeted Allocation Money and is set to join the team in the coming days – pending medical, work permit, and visa. The 6-foot-1 defender, who initially arrived in Vancouver on a year-long loan from the Superliga Argentina club in February 2019, has agreed to an MLS contract through 2022 with an option for 2023.



THE SHOW GOES ON. pic.twitter.com/LZJRfkpHOr — Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) January 22, 2020

"We are very pleased to get this deal done and welcome Erik back to our club and city,” said Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster. “Erik had a good first year in MLS and everyone is convinced that he will continue to improve and be an important player for our team.”



Whitecaps FC kick off the 2020 MLS season on Saturday, February 29 when they host Sporting Kansas City at BC Place. For more information on all ticket options, including single match tickets, premium services, 5-packs, groups, and youth tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

Whitecaps FC centre back Érik Godoy

30 starts in 31 matches across all competitions in 2019 with Whitecaps FC

32 blocks in league play, three off MLS single-regular season record since Opta started tracking the statistic in 2009

127 clearances in league play, ninth in MLS

2019 WFC Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero

Godoy, 26, earned 30 starts in 31 appearances across all competitions, with a goal and an assist in his first year in Vancouver. His 32 blocks in league play was only three off the MLS single-regular season record since Opta started tracking the statistic in 2009. He also added 127 clearances, good for ninth in MLS. He was honoured with the WFC Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero award following the season.



“We are very happy to have reached an agreement for Erik,” added Whitecaps FC head coach Marc Dos Santos. “Since day one, Erik has been committed and always available to help the team. He showed versatility and a great ability to adapt to MLS. We look forward to seeing his continued growth as a player at our club.”



Prior to joining Whitecaps FC on loan, Godoy played eight years in his native Argentina with Tigre, Belgrano, and Colón. He made over 140 starts in the top tier Superliga Argentina, also known as the Primera División, as well 10 appearances in the Copa Argentina, scoring six goals in all competitions.



TRANSACTION: On January 22, 2020, Whitecaps FC acquire centre back Érik Godoy on a permanent transfer with the use of Targeted Allocation Money from Superliga Argentina side Club Atlético Colón - medical, work permit, and visa.



Érik Godoy

Pronunciation: guh-doy

Position: Centre back

Height: 6-01

Weight: 175 pounds

Date of birth: August 16, 1993 in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Citizenship: Argentina

Status: International

Previous club: Club Atlético Colón (ARG PD: '18-'19), Whitecaps FC (MLS on loan ‘19)