Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced the Deadline Day signing of forward Bernie Ibini from Belgian club Brugge.
The Vancouver Whitecaps managed one final signing before the MLS transfer window closed on Monday. Bernie Ibini will be joining the Caps from Club Brugge KV.
The 24-year-old Nigerian-born Australian (now there’s a nationality combination the Whitecaps were missing) has agreed to an MLS contract through 2018, with an option for 2019, according the Whitecaps website. He will occupy an international spot.
Ibini joins from Brugge, but he’s been playing in Australia. He spent the last A-League season at Sydney FC on loan.
Here’s the obligatory YouTube highlight reel:
Injuries a concern
According to the club’s website, Ibini will join the ‘Caps pending receipt of his work permit and a medical exam. This last point is the biggest concern. Ibini missed out on the A-League final last weekend with a hamstring issue. According to The Province, the injury could keep him out for up to two months.
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With injuries currently keeping Erik Hurtado and other new signing Yordy Reyna out, signing another injured player raises some eyebrows.
Another question is around Ibini’s role in the team. Transfermark has him playing mostly on the right-wing, with some games on the opposite wing and a few up front. With Alphonso Davies, Christian Bolaños, Cristian Techera, Brek Shea, and Mauro Rosales all options on the wing, but the injured Hurtado and Kyle Greig the only back-ups for Fredy Montero at centre forward, it seems likely Ibini is here is a striker.
As the highlight reel shows, he knows where the goal is. Coach Carl Robinson, interviewed on the Whitecaps website, wasn’t committing to anything.
"“Bernie is an exciting young player with great upside. He’s big, powerful, and can play as a wide player or as a centre forward. And just as importantly, he’s someone who is hungry and keen to prove himself in Major League Soccer. We look forward to working with Bernie to help him reach his potential.”"
Ibini has 31 goals in 156 career appearances, scoring three in 20 since joining Sydney FC for the second time last year. He was mostly used as an impact substitute, suggesting ‘Caps fans may expect a similar role from him.
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