Pedro Vite joins Pumas - Vancouver Whitecaps receive highest fee since Davies deal

Vancouver Whitecaps have agreed a deal with Liga MX’s side UNAM Pumas for the transfer of Ecuadorian midfielder Pedro Vite. Sources with direct knowledge of the situation have told Transfermarkt that the Whitecaps will receive $4.5 million (€3.8m) plus $1.5m (€1.3m) in bonuses. The Whitecaps will also retain a 20% sell-on clause. It is the second biggest transfer fee received in Whitecaps history (overview). The deal is now official.

A transfer at this point was a bit of a surprise. Transfermarkt reported in June that Vite has signed a new contract with the Whitecaps that will run until 2029. The Major League Soccer club was ready to announce that contract extension, but interest from a major club in Brazil meant that that announcement was postponed. Transfer negotiations with that club failed for financial reasons, but an announcement was once again postponed when Pumas approached the player’s camp with a salary offer of around $3m after tax per season, significantly above the just-signed TAM deal. 

That deal appeared unlikely at first as well. Pumas’ initial offer ahead of the weekend fell short of what the Whitecaps expected to receive for the 23-year-old Ecuadorian national team player. As a result of ongoing talks, Vite didn't feature in Vancouver’s 3-0 defeat to the Colorado Rapids on Saturday and in the club's 3-0 victory over Houston. Negotiations then continued and were then successfully concluded ahead of the weekend. Furthermore, the Whitecaps have already secured a replacement in Kenji Cabrera.

Pedro Vite to Pumas – A significant loss for the Whitecaps

Although the Whitecaps can expect a significant transfer fee, on the field, Vite will be missed. The Ecuadorian has become a crucial player for the club and one of the most complete midfielders in MLS. Vite was also comfortable in Vancouver, and his original plan was to continue his progress with the Whitecaps and earn a spot in Ecuador’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. But Pumas offered a personal contract that is a significant improvement over his current deal. Enough for Vite and his camp to potentially consider a different path going forward.