In a bit of a surprising move, the Vancouver Whitecaps announced this afternoon that they mutually agreed to part ways with left back Marcel de Jong. This appears to be a ‘buy out’ as the Whitecaps noted that part of his salary would remain on the books for 2019.
The move is surprising and not at the same time. De Jong came to Vancouver in 2016, where he played in seven matches (five starts) to close out the season. It was somewhat expected that he would battle for the left back position in 2017, but was used sparingly, more as a left winger rather than a left back.