Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the signing of Argentine centre back Martín Bonjour - pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and Visa. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Martín is a powerful, aggressive central defender who is good in the air and comfortable on the ball,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie. “He adds additional quality to our defensive side and brings plenty of South American top-flight experience.”

Bonjour, 26, comes to Whitecaps FC after spending most of his professional career in South America. A native of Carhué, Argentina, the defender started his career in his home country with Club Olimpo before moving to neighbouring Uruguay, where he joined Club Atlético Rentistas in the country’s capital of Montevideo. In two seasons with Rentistas, Bonjour scored three goals in 34 appearances. He then had a brief spell in Poland with Lech Poznań before making 19 appearances with Peruvian outfit Club Deportivo Universidad César Vallejo in 2008.

The centre back then returned to the Uruguayan Primera División when he joined Rampla Juniors FC in the 2008-09 campaign. From 2008 to 2011, Bonjour scored five goals in 52 appearances for the Montevideo club. As a Rampla Juniors player, the defender spent the Clausura (closing championship) portion of 2010-11 Uruguayan Primera División campaign on loan with rivals Liverpool de Montevideo, where he scored one goal in 10 appearances.

“I am delighted to join Vancouver Whitecaps FC and embark on this new and exciting stage of my career in North America,” said Bonjour. “I have heard many good things about Whitecaps FC and Major League Soccer, and plan to make an important contribution to my new club this season. I’m also looking forward to my new life in Canada and the beautiful city of Vancouver.”

Martín Bonjour

Position: Defender

Height: 6-03

Weight: 190

Born: April 9, 1985, in Carhué, Argentina

Hometown: Carhué, Argentina

Citizenship: Argentina

Last Club: Rampla Juniors FC (Uruguayan Primera División)

How Acquired: Free agent signing by Whitecaps FC on January 4, 2012

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