Whitecaps’ sale of Vite to Mexican club biggest deal since Davies

Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster pledging to use transfer fee to “strengthen our roster, for both immediate impact and long-term success”

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Published Jul 18, 2025 • 2 minute read

Pedro Vite of the Vancouver Whitecaps is upended while trying to get past Nathan Saliba CF Montreal during MLS match between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and CF Montreal at B.C. Place Stadium March 8, Photo by Rich Lam /Getty Images

The Vancouver Whitecaps confirmed the transfer of midfielder Pedro Vite to the Mexican club Pumas UNAM on Friday and Manuel Veth of Transfermarkt is reporting that it’s the second biggest transfer fee in Whitecaps history, behind only the Alphonso Davies deal.

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According to Veththe Whitecaps receive $4.5 million US (€3.8m) plus $1.5 million US (€1.3m) in bonuses, and they retain a 20 per cent sell-on clause. The Whitecaps haven’t offered up much on details, other than confirming that they’ll receive a percentage of any future transfer fees.

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Friday’s announcement comes one week shy of the seven-year anniversary of their $22 million US (€14 m) transfer agreement between the Whitecaps and FC Bayern Munich for Davies.

According to Transfermarkt, the Whitecaps transfer of midfielder Inbeom Hwang to Russian club FC Rubin Kazan in August 2020 had been the runner-up to the Davies’ deal in Whitecaps history before Vite. Transfermarkt lists that deal at $2.9 million US (€2.5 m).

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Vite, 23, has been a major reason why the Whitecaps have been near the top of the MLS standings all season long. Vancouver (12-5-5) has a first-place showdown with host San Diego (13-7-3) Saturday (7:30 p.m.). San Diego is one point up on Vancouver for top spot, but the Whitecaps have a game in hand. The regular season wraps up in October.

quickly — Pedro Vite of the Vancouver Whitecaps plays the ball after getting fouled baby Nathan Saliba CF Montreal during the first half of the MLS match between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and CF Montreal at B.C .Place Stadium on March 8. Photo by Rich Lam /Getty Images

Vite is tied for second on the Whitecaps in goals (4), trailing only forward Brian White (11). He’s first in assists (6). He’s fourth in minutes played (1,393).

Vite has been a starter of late with Ecuador’s national side. He’s been with the Whitecaps since August 2021. His current contract with Vancouver was set to run out at the end of this season. Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said Monday that Vite and the team were closing in on an extension, but Schuster had promised that he wouldn’t stand in the way if a transfer offer came in from a team that Vite was interested in.

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Sure enough, two clubs stepped up as Whitecaps and Vite were finalizing their own extension. The Pumas deal was the one that they managed to push over the finish line.

‘It’s a bit unfortunate but it’s also what the business is,” Schuster said then.

Schuster also promised if the transfer went through that the Whitecaps will “use every single dollar to invest back into the team to make the team stronger in a different way.”

“We will be able to do good things with it, to improve the team as a total,” Schuster said.

In a Whitecaps statement on Friday, Schuster said: “Pedro arrived in Vancouver at 19, living outside of Ecuador for the first time. Year after year, he continued to progress, and this season he’s emerged as one of the top midfielders in MLS and a key contributor to his national team.

“We explored several options with Pedro and, ultimately, we respect his decision. We’re grateful for everything he brought to the club and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career. The incoming transfer fee will be reinvested to strengthen our roster, for both immediate impact and long-term success.”
@Seveves

SEwen@postmedia.com