The Vancouver Whitecaps brought in top Venezuelan striker Anthony Blondell with their first offseason signing on Thursday.
Blondell, 23, led the Venezuelan Primera last season with 23 goals in 37 games for Monagas.
He moves to Vancouver after the Whitecaps paid FC Dallas $50,000 in general allocation money for its right of first refusal on the forward.
Blondell, who has played his entire year in his native country, made his first international appearance for Venezuela in a friendly this month.
NEWS: #VWFC Acquire striker Anthony Blondell from Venezuelan Primera División side Monagas SC
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) November 30, 2017
➡️ https://t.co/tfJWJ1qVnP pic.twitter.com/dWfuDOjmt9
The Whitecaps' 50 goals this season was the third-fewest among the 12 MLS playoff team, and Blondell will be a welcome addition with Fredy Montero's future with the club still uncertain.
"Anthony is a highly sought-after player with huge potential," Vancouver coach Carl Robinson said in a statement. "He's an exciting young player with the key attributes you want in any forward player. He's strong, quick, and powerful.
"It will be important that we don't expect too much of him too soon, as he will be one of a number of additions we are looking at bringing in for next season, and will complement our existing group of attacking players."
