MLS Moves: 'Cap send Espindola to Necaxa

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jul 27, 2016

Argentine striker Fabian Espindola was sold by the Vancouver Whitecaps to Mexican club Necaxa without ever playing a game for the 'Caps. Espindola, 31, was acquired a week ago from D.C. United in exchange for general allocation money.

“I was preparing for my move to Vancouver – which I know is a great city – when we were presented with an offer to sign with Club Necaxa,” said Espindola in a statement. “This new deal gives my family security and stability as my previous contract was set to expire at the end of this season."

Espindola, 31, played 10 seasons with Real Salt Lake, the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United in MLS and scored 64 goals and in 212 regular-season matches. The potentially short-term nature of the move apparently made the Argentine reluctant to join the 'Caps, who were looking for another forward after the sale of Octavio Rivero to Chile's Colo Colo.

"We acquired Fabian last week as we felt he would be a good addition to our team," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "After we finalized the trade, we were presented with an offer from Club Necaxa, which provides us with a significant amount of allocation money, and puts us in a better position than we were prior to this trade. We discussed the offer with Fabian and he agreed to the move. We will continue to look for another attacking player, as we are always looking to improve our club for the short, medium, and long term.”

MLS Players on the move abroad (2016 mid-season):
PLAYER (MLS CLUB) TRANSACTION
Sam Adekugbe (Vancouver), loan --> Brighton & Hove Albion (ENG D2)
Dairon Asprilla (Portland), loan  --> Millonarios (COL)
Fabian Espindola (Vancouver), transfer --> Necaxa (MEX)
Gilberto (Chicago), mutually terminated contract --> Sao Paulo (BRA)
Adam Kwarasey (Portland), transfer--> Rosenborg (NOR)
Emil Larsen (Columbus), transfer --> Lyngby (DEN)
Leonel Miranda (Houston), loan expired --> Defensa y Justicia (ARG)
Vincent Nogueira (Philadelphia), mutually terminated contract --> Strasbourg (FRA D2)
Damien Perquis (Toronto FC), mutually terminated contract --> Nott. Forest (ENG D2)
Octavio Rivero (Vancouver), transfer --> Colo-Colo (CHI)
David Rocha (Houston), mutually terminated contract --> Real Oviedo (ESP D2)
Bryan Rochez (Orlando City), loan --> Real Espana/HON)
Daniel Salloi (Sporting KC), loan  --> Vasas (HUN)
Adrian Winter (Orlando City), mutually terminated contract --> FC Zurich (SUI)
Alex Zendejas (FC Dallas), transfer  --> Guadalajara (MEX)