Pedro Vite and Vancouver Whitecaps agree new long-term deal - Most complete midfielder in MLS?

It has been an incredible year for the Vancouver Whitecaps and their midfield ace, Pedro Vite. The six-time Ecuadorian national team player (one goal) has been one of the most complete midfielders in  Major League Soccer this season and a key player for the Whitecaps on their run to the Concacaf Champions Cup final. With that in mind, interest in Vite has been high but Transfermarkt understands that the Ecuadorian has agreed on a new long-term deal with the Whitecaps that will run until 2029.

A glimpse in the Transfermarkt Rumor Mill underlines the demand in Vite. Vite has recently been linked with a summer move to Serie A club AS Roma. Then there was a report linking Vite with a €3m move to Greek side Panathinaikos. Sources with direct knowledge of the situation, however, quickly denied that the Greek side were interested in the midfielder. Still, the speculations continued this spring and have already led to an increase in his market value from €3m to €5m as part of the April MLS market value update. 

Indeed, Whitecaps fans appear to be resigned to the fact that they might lose Vite as early as this summer. But Transfermarkt understands that a deal is now in place that will keep Vite in Vancouver long-term. Sources have told Transfermarkt in May that the Whitecaps are working on a new contract and that process is now complete. Vite is now a regular starter for Ecuador and doesn’t want to risk his status ahead of the World Cup by moving to a club where he might not be a regular starter. 

Pedro Vite: Will he sign a new contract in Vancouver?

What would it cost for Vite to stay? The 23-year-old was initially signed as part of the MLS U22 Initiative. However, if Vite signs a new contract, he will no longer be eligible for the U22 Initiative. Despite that, the Whitecaps managed to sign him below the Designated Player threshold. At the moment, the Whitecaps agreed to a Targeted Allocation Money deal worth just under $1.7 million.   

Why is keeping Vite crucial for the Whitecaps? The Whitecaps have reached the final of the Concacaf Champions Cup and dominated MLS at times this season. After matchday 19, the ‘Caps sit second in the Western Conference standings with 35 points from 18 games and a goal differential of +15. Undoubtedly, Vite has been crucial for the club’s success under new head coach Jesper Sørensen. 

According to the stats site FBREF, Vite has been one of the most dominant midfielders in MLS this season. The Ecuadorian ranks in the 96th percentile with 5.28 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, 96th percentile with 0.74 goal-creating actions, and 91th percentile with 5.94 progressive passes per 90 minutes. In other words, Vite isn’t just the most complete midfielder out there most nights, but also the most dangerous. It explains why clubs in Europe are interested and why the Whitecaps worked hard to keep him.