Whitecaps acquire former Mexico international Efrain Juarez

The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Thursday the club has signed defensive midfielder Efrain Juarez from Monterrey, penning the 39-time capped Mexico international to a deal through 2019 with the use of Targeted Allocation Money.

The deal also includes a club option for the 2020 season.

Juarez featured for Mexico in the 2010 FIFA World Cup but earned his last cap for El Tri in 2011. He has yet to play for his country since, but the 29-year-old has amassed 274 appearances during his time in Liga MX with Monterrey, Pumas, and Club America, in the Scottish Premiership with Celtic, and in La Liga with Real Zaragoza.

"I'm so happy and excited for this new stage in my career," Juarez said. "It's an opportunity for me to keep growing in a new league and to be a part of an amazing club in Vancouver. From the moment they showed interest me, Carl Robinson and the Whitecaps staff have made me feel very important. I promise to put all my effort into this club and do my best to help us achieve our goals."

Also capable of playing at right full-back, Juarez brings with him two seasons of experience in the FC Barcelona academy, and helped Mexico win the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2009 and 2011. Those experiences, coupled with his individual skill set, make him an immediate contributor for Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson, though he sees Juarez primarily as a midfielder.

"We are very excited to add Efrain to our group," Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson. "He's an extremely talented player who has experience at the highest level, can play multiple positions, and fits the character type we want at our club.

"Efrain's preferred position is in the middle of the park and that's where I expect him to play the majority of minutes for us. We firmly believe in Efrain's technical ability, grit, and leadership qualities and we look forward to seeing him with our group."