Striker Masato Kudo and Whitecaps mutually agree to terminate contract

VANCOUVER – Striker Masato Kudo and the Vancouver Whitecaps mutually agreed to a contract termination on Friday.

The 26-year-old Kudo joined the Whitecaps last December from Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol and appeared in 19 matches in all competitions, scoring three goals and one assist. The Tokyo native wasKashiwa Reysol’s all-time leading scorer with 91 goals in 247 appearances.

“Masato is one of the best professionals I have ever worked with and we are thankful for the contributions he made during his time in Vancouver,” Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said in a statement. “This move will provide Masato an opportunity to explore additional first team options. We wish him all the best.”

Kudo suffered a gruesome head injury in May in a game against the Chicago Fire that resulted in surgery for a fractured jaw. The forward was hit by Chicago goalkeeper Matt Lampson as both players were going for the ball early on in the match.

Kudo took a shoulder to the face before his head slammed on the turf. Blood could be seen dripping from his mouth as players from both teams immediately waved to Vancouver’s medical staff for help. Kudo was initially diagnosed with a concussion.

He missed two months due to the injury.