VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the club has acquired attacking midfielder Pedro Morales as the club’s newest Designated Player on a free transfer from Spain’s La Liga side Málaga CF, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Pedro is an exciting attacking player and we are thrilled to have him join our club,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “He is a natural number 10 who will bring a creative flare to our attack and is someone the supporters will enjoy watching.”
Morales arrived in Vancouver on Tuesday night and will train with his new teammates Wednesday at the University of British Columbia.
Whitecaps FC attacking midfielder Pedro Morales
- Three goals in 11 national team appearances with Chile
- Played the last two seasons with Spain’s La Liga side Málaga CF, recording four goals in 22 league appearances
- Scored 26 goals in 87 league, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Europa League appearances with Croatia’s top division club GNK Dinamo Zagreb
- Played five seasons in Chile’s Primera Division, scoring 31 goals in 133 league appearances with CD Huachipato and Club Universidad de Chile
Morales, 28, comes to Vancouver having played the last two seasons with Spain’s La Liga side Málaga CF. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Chilean midfielder started 13 of his 22 league appearances and scored four goals with the club from southern Spain.
Prior to making the move to La Liga, Morales played with Croatian top division club GNK Dinao Zagreb, capturing the league championship in each of his three seasons with the team. In 60 league appearances with Zagreb, Morales scored 24 goals. The South American also made nine appearances with the team in the UEFA Champions League, including a run to the Group Stage in the 2011-2012 season. While with Zagreb, Morales also started 15 of his 18 appearances in the UEFA Europa League, scoring two goals.
In the Primera Division of his native country, Morales played five seasons, scoring 31 goals in 133 league appearances. At CD Huachipato, where he began his career in 2005, Morales made 81 appearances and scored 15 goals. During his time with Universidad de Chile, the attacking playmaker made a total of 52 appearances while scoring 16 goals.
Internationally, the native of Hualpén, Chile, has represented his country 11 times, scoring three goals. Morales also played for his country at the U-23 level, notably scoring two goals at the 2008 Toulon tournament to help Chile finish as runners-up. In 2005, Morales played for his country at the U-20 level in the FIFA World Youth Championship, appearing in all four matches.
Pedro Morales
Position: Attacking midfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170 pounds
Date of Birth: May 25, 1985, in Hualpén, Chile
Hometown: Hualpén, Chile
Citizenship: Chile
Status: International, Designated Player
Previous Club: Málaga CF (Spain’s La Liga)
How Acquired: Acquired via free transfer from Spain’s La Liga side Málaga CF on March 5, 2014
Whitecaps FC begin their 2014 MLS season on March 8 versus New York Red Bulls at BC Place. Season tickets start at just $349 and single-match tickets start at $22, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps also offer a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
