26-year-old has made 160 appearances at the professional club level in Europe
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Tuesday that the club has acquired Angolan international right back Rui Modesto via transfer from Italian Serie A side Udinese. Modesto has agreed to a contract through the 2029-30 Major League Soccer season, with a club option for the 2030-31 season. Modesto will officially be added to the club’s Major League Soccer roster pending receipt of his international transfer certificate and medical.
“Rui is a player we’ve been looking at for a while now,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “We believe his combination of pace, directness, and strong work rate on both sides of the ball fits our style of play. He adds valuable experience to our team, and we’re excited to welcome Rui to our group.”
Whitecaps FC right back Rui Modesto
- 160 appearances, 28 goals, 32 assists at the professional club level in Europe
- 2022 Finnish League Cup winner with FC Honka
- Seven appearances with Angola’s men’s national team
- Named to Angola’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations roster
“I’m excited to start this new chapter with Vancouver Whitecaps FC,” added Modesto. "I’m grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get started, to improve, and to help the team succeed.”
Originally born in Vendas Novas, Portugal, Modesto represents Angola at the international level. He arrives in Vancouver having recently completed a loan spell with Italian Serie B side Palermo during second half of the 2025-26 season, where he started five of his 10 appearances across all competitions and tallied one goal, as well as an assist.
During his season and a half at Udinese, Modesto made 25 appearances across all competitions, including six starts. He also added three goals and one assist.
Prior to making the move to Italy, Modesto was a key piece at Swedish side AIK Fotboll. The Angolan international, who started 59 of his 60 appearances for the club, split time playing as a fullback and as winger across three seasons, scoring 16 goals and registering 10 assists.
Modesto also enjoyed a prolific period in Finland with FC Honka. In three seasons with the club, Modesto started 51 of his 65 appearances, recorded 11 goals, and tallied 17 assists across all competitions. In his final season with the club, he led Honka to the 2022 Finnish League Cup title and finished the season as the team’s leader in goal contributions with 20 (seven goals, 13 assists). In addition, Modesto made three appearances with Honka’s second team.
Modesto began playing at the professional level in Portugal with his hometown club Estrela de Vendas Novas.
Growing up, Modesto played with the youth teams of Vitoria Setubal, Lusitano Évora, Juventude Évora, Estrela de Vendas Novas, and Afeiteira.
Internationally, Modesto has started all seven of his caps with Angola’s men’s national team. He was a member of Angola’s roster at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he featured once in a 0-0 draw against Egypt.
TRANSACTION: On September 1, 2026, Vancouver Whitecaps FC acquire right back Rui Modesto via transfer from Italian Serie A side Udinese. Modesto agrees to a contract through the 2029-30 season, with a club option for 2030-31.
Rui Modesto
Pronunciation: rhoo-ee Moo-DESH-tuh
Position: Right Back
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160 pounds
Date of Birth: October 7, 1999 in Vendas Novas, Portugal
Hometown: Vendas Novas, Portugal
Citizenship: Angola, Portugal
Status: International
Previous Clubs: Udinese (2024-26), Palermo (2026 – on loan), AIK Fotboll (2023-24), FC Honka (2020-23), Estrela de Vendas Novas (2017-18)
Youth Clubs: Vitória Setubal, Lusitano Évora, Juventude Évora, Estrela de Vendas Novas, Afeiteira
Instagram: @ruimmodesto
