Canadian striker Lucas Cavallini back in Mexico, this time with Tijuana

TIJUANA, Mexico – Former Vancouver Whitecap striker Lucas Cavallini is back in Mexico, this time with Tijuana.

The 30-year-old Canadian international played for Puebla in Liga MX before joining Vancouver as a designated player.

He was the Whitecaps’ second-highest-paid player last year at US$1,462,500. But the MLS club opted not to pick up his option following a season that produced nine goals in 24 league outings.

In three seasons in Vancouver, Cavallini scored 18 goals and added three assists in 64 regular-season and playoff games.

The Whitecaps acquired Cavallini from Puebla in December 2019 for a club-record transfer fee which was not disclosed. He signed a contract through 2022 with an option for 2023.

In 81 appearances in all competitions for Puebla, Cavallini scored 29 goals and added eight assists.

Cavallini has won 35 caps for Canada and made one appearance at the World Cup in Qatar. His 18 international goals rank fifth all-time for Canadian men. Eight of those goals came in 2019.

Since 2012, he has scored more than 100 goals for club and country.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2023