MLS
Édier Ocampo joins Vancouver Whitecaps: fee and contract details
The 20-year-old full-back arrives in North American football from Colombian Primera A side Atlético Nacional. He will be a teammate of Deiber Caicedo.
Another Colombian talent arrives in MLS. Édier Ocampo, a defender who has impressed both with Atlético Nacional and Colombia’s U-20 team, was announced as a new Vancouver Whitecaps player on Friday. The Canadians currently occupy fifth place in the MLS Western Conference. He will play alongside compatriot Deiber Caicedo, who returned in July after a season on loan at Junior Barranquilla.
Ocampo waiting for paperwork to go through
“Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced Thursday that the club has acquired Colombian youth international full-back Édier Ocampo via transfer from Categoría Primera A side Atlético Nacional of Colombia. Ocampo has agreed to a contract through 2027, with a club option for 2028″, the Canadian club announced on its website.
As clarified in the statement, Ocampo will be able to make his first team debut as soon as he has all the legal permissions to play in the North American league. “The 20-year-old will officially join the club’s Major League Soccer roster pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, work permit and visa,” the franchise added.
The right-back was delighted with his move to MLS, and said, “I’m very excited about joining Vancouver and I cannot wait to meet my new team mates and the coach. With God’s help, I hope can reach our objectives. I am keen to feel the support of the fans and fight to win trophies, which is what we all want”.
Energy and explosiveness, Ocampo’s qualities
While no transfer fee has been disclosed by Vancouver, it is believed that the operation was closed for a total of around $1.75 million. It has been reported that Atlético Nacional will receive a 20% cut of any future transfer fee, if the player is sold in the next three years.
Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster explained why the Canadian club signed the Colombian right-back. “Last fall, we identified Édier as a young player with a lot of potential who would fit our style of play. He is a fast and explosive full-back, aggressive on both sides of the pitch and very direct in his way of playing,” he said.
In his professional career so far, Ocampo has played a total of 103 top level matches (58 with Atlético Nacional, 28 with the Colombian Under-20 team and 17 with Fortaleza), in which he has scored three goals and given out seven assists.