Whitecaps bring back Mauro Rosales for 2nd stint

The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Monday the club has afforded free-agent midfielder Mauro Rosales a second stint in Canada, signing the 36-year-old Argentine attacker to a one-year contract with an option for 2018 after he spent the 2016 season with FC Dallas.

Rosales previously played with the Whitecaps in the 2014 and 2015 campaigns, but was traded to Dallas in February 2016 in exchange for Blas Perez. He returns to the Canadian outfit having made 173 appearances over seven seasons in MLS, scoring 15 goals and recording 52 assists.

"Mauro is a senior player who brings tremendous leadership and commitment to our locker room, someone who can connect with players while still playing with them," Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said in a statement.

"We missed him last year both for what he brought on and off the field. We have some talented young attacking players, and along with our coaching staff, Mauro is one of the best ones to teach them. He brings professionalism, the right attitude, and demands the best from teammates. He is a welcome addition back to our club."

Rosales originally joined the league in 2011, signing with the Seattle Sounders.