Vancouver Whitecaps complete signing of Andres Cubas from Ligue 2 side Nimes | OneFootball

The Vancouver Whitecaps have completed the signing of Paraguayan midfielder Andres Cubas from Nimes Olympique, the club announced Thursday.

The nine-time international arrives on a Designated Player contract, signing a deal through June 2026, with an option for the final six months of 2026. Cubas will officially join the Whitecaps' roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate, work permit, and visa.

“We identified Andrés as one of our top targets during the offseason and actively started our pursuit in December. He is a ball-winning defensive midfielder, who will be key in organizing our midfield as he brings experience, leadership and maturity to our young group,” Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said in a club release.

“We have started the visa process and hope to have him available as soon as possible. We are very excited to welcome Andrés and his family to Vancouver.”

Cubas - a product of the Boca Juniors youth system - has 167 combined appearances at club level in Argentina, France, and Italy and leads Ligue 2 in combined tackles and interceptions so far across the 2021/22 season, helping Nimes to ninth after 35 games. The 25-year-old was part of the Nimes side that was relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of the previous campaign.

“I'm extremely happy to be a part of Vancouver Whitecaps FC,” said Cubas. “I'm excited to arrive in Vancouver, get to know my teammates, and help the team wherever needed. I will do my very best to bring joy to the club and all the supporters."

Cubas' arrival should help bolster the Whitecaps' defensive and midfield options after conceding 17 goals across their first eight games of the 2022 MLS season. Vanni Sartini's side are bottom of the Western Conference ahead of their home match against Toronto FC this weekend.