Whitecaps sign Uruguayan striker Joaquin Ardaiz to year-long loan

VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Whitecaps have acquired striker Joaquin Ardaiz on a year-long loan from Swiss club FC Chiasso.

Ardaiz is a 20-year-old from Uruguay and will take up a young designated player position and international roster spot.

Vancouver has the option to purchase him after the loan expires.

Whitecaps head coach Marc Dos Santos says Ardaiz has a very high ceiling with the physical and technical tools to succeed in Major League Soccer.

He says Vancouver believes in his ability and will work with him to reach his full potential.

Ardaiz represented Uruguay at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup where it finished fourth.

He has experience playing at top division clubs in Italy, Belgium and his home country.

The six-foot-one forward most recently had a short loan with Serie A club Frosinone Calcio and made one appearance last September.