Vancouver Whitecaps exercise contract options on 16 players

The Vancouver Whitecaps exercised contract options for a number of footballers, signing 10 of their players to new deals, while declining options on six players from the 2015 roster.

The Whitecaps signed goalkeepers Marco Carducci and David Ousted, defenders Sam Adekugbe, Jordan Smith, and Tim Parker, midfielders Gershon Koffie and Nicolas Mezquida, and forwards Erik Hurtado, Kekuta Manneh, and Darren Mattocks to contracts for the 2016 season.

The club declined options on goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi, defenders Steven Beitashour, Pa-Modou Kah, and Ethen Sampson, midfielder Andre Lewis, and striker Caleb Clarke.

"We made a number of positive steps forward the last couple seasons and have a solid core in place," head coach Carl Robinson said. "However, we are constantly looking for ways to take this club to the next level and this offseason will be no exception. I'm confident that we will continue to build, improve, and bring even more success to Vancouver in 2016."

Midfielder Mauro Rosales and striker Robert Earnshaw will be out of contract at the end of the season, but Robinson says he is in discussion with the two, as well as the six declined players, in regards to their future with the club.

"There are still a number of discussions that are currently taking place and we will continue to provide updates when available," Robinson said.

The Whitecaps are also in discussions with Honduran outfit Club Deportivo Motagua and Uruguayan side River Plate Montevideo with regards to the loan deals for Deybi Flores and Cristian Techera, respectively. Defender Diego Rodriguez has returned from loan to Uruguayan side Club Atletico Juventud de Las Piedras, too.