VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Monday that the club has signed Uruguayan centre back Mathías Laborda via the use of Targeted Allocation Money (TAM). Laborda has agreed to a contract through 2025, with a club option for 2026, and will occupy an international roster spot - pending receipt of his international transfer certificate.
Whitecaps FC centre back Mathías Laborda
- Three-time Uruguayan Primera División champion with Nacional in 2019, 2020, and 2022, as well as the Uruguayan Supercopa in 2021
- 101 appearances across all competitions for Nacional
- Came through Nacional’s youth system & won the U-20 Copa Libertadores in 2018
- Represented Uruguay at the U-17, U-20 & U-23 levels
“Mathías is a player we’ve been scouting for over a year,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “He’s a young, intelligent, and tenacious defender. Mathías is comfortable on the ball and brings a mix of experience as well as a potential for growth. We’re happy to welcome Mathías to Vancouver.”
Laborda, 23, arrives in Vancouver having started 82 of his 101 appearances across all competitions for Uruguayan Primera División side Club Nacional de Football, helping the side win three Primera División titles in 2019, 2020 and 2022 as well as the 2021 Uruguayan Supercopa. The centre back also added six goals and an assist during his time with the club. Laborda originally came through Nacional’s youth academy joining the club at 16 and helped the team’s U-20 side win the U-20 Copa Libertadores in 2018, eventually signing his first professional contract with the first team in 2019.
Internationally, Laborda represented Uruguay at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels.
TRANSACTION: On January 9, 2023, Whitecaps FC sign defender Mathías Laborda to a contract through 2025, with a club option for 2026, via the use of Targeted Allocation Money.
Mathías Laborda
Pronunciation: la-bor-da
Position: Centre Back
Height: 6-00
Weight: 170 pounds
Date of Birth: September 15, 1999 in Fray Bentos, Uruguay
Hometown: Fray Bentos, Uruguay
Citizenship: Uruguay, Italy
Status: International
Previous Club: Club Nacional de Football (2016-22)
Instagram: @labordamathias
Twitter: @LabordaMathi
