21-year-old Ecuadorian youth international agrees to contract through the 2028-29 MLS season
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that that the club has acquired Ecuadorian youth international Bruno Caicedo via transfer from Ecuadorian LigaPro Serie A side Barcelona SC. Caicedo has agreed to a U22 Initiative contract through the 2028-29 Major League Soccer season, with a club option for the 2029-30 season. The 21-year-old forward will officially join the club’s MLS roster pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, visa, work permit, and medical.
“Bruno has been on our radar for some time now,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “We’ve seen him develop into a player capable of making a real impact in the final third, and we believe he’s ready for this challenge. Like our other U22 Initiative signings, he brings raw talent and ability, is dynamic, and poses a threat in transition. We’re excited to help him reach the next level as he begins this new chapter in Vancouver.”
Whitecaps FC forward Bruno Caicedo
- Four starts with Ecuador’s U-20 side at the 2025 U-20 South American Championship
- Three goals, three assists in 21 starts and 31 appearances across all competitions for Orense SC in 2025
- 22 appearances, 10 starts, and one goal across all competitions for Cubayá FC in 2024
- Product of Barcelona SC’s youth academy
"I'm really happy to join this great club," added Caicedo. "I will leave everything on the field and can't wait to be at BC Place to play in front of the best fans in Vancouver."
A product of Barcelona SC’s youth academy, Caicedo spent the last two years developing on loan with a pair of Ecuadorian LigaPro Serie A sides. Most recently, the forward started 21 of his 31 appearances across all competitions for Orense SC, recording three goals as well as three assists. In 2024, Caicedo experienced his first season at the professional level with Cumbayá FC, making 10 starts in 22 appearances and scoring his first professional goal against CD Macará.
On the international stage, Caicedo has represented Ecuador’s U-20 side, making four starts at the 2025 U-20 South American Championship.
In addition to coming through the Barcelona SC academy, Caicedo also spent time with the U-20 team of Brazilian outfit Flamengo.
Caicedo is the third U22 initiative player on Vancouver’s roster, joining Colombian fullback Édier Ocampo and Japanese-born, Peruvian international Kenji Cabrera. He also becomes the second Ecuadorian to play for the club in the MLS era.
TRANSACTION: On January 30, 2026, Whitecaps FC acquire forward Bruno Caicedo via transfer from Barcelona SC. Caicedo agrees to a U22 initiative contract through the 2028-29 MLS season, with a club option for the 2029-30 season.
Bruno Caicedo
Pronunciation: kai-say-doh
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 155 pounds
Date of Birth: January 15, 2005 in Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Hometown: Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Citizenship: Ecuador
Status: International, U22 initiative
Previous Clubs: Barcelona SC (2024-26), Orense SC (2025 – on loan), Cumbayá FC (2024 – on loan)
Youth Clubs: Barcelona SC Academy, Flamengo U-20
Instagram: @bruno\_\_caicedo16
