Whitecaps sign Barbara, TFC waive Bouchiba
Posted February 28, 2012 4:40 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed striker Etienne Barbara to the club’s roster, pending receipt of his international transfer certificate.
Barbara, who has been practising with the Whitecaps in recent weeks, was the top scorer and MVP in the second-tier NASL in 2011 with 20 goals and eight assists in 27 games for the Carolina RailHawks.
The 29-year-old has made 30 international appearances for Malta since his first cap in August 2004 and joins new Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie in Major League Soccer. Rennie coached Barbara with Carolina for the last two seasons.
“Etienne is an aggressive, powerful player that is determined to succeed,” Rennie said Tuesday in a statement. “He brings versatility to our lineup both as a wide midfielder or a striker.”
Vancouver acquired Barbara’s MLS rights from the Montreal Impact in exchange for Mexican defender Gienir Garcia, who was selected second overall in the 2012 MLS supplemental draft by the Whitecaps.
Meanwhile, Toronto FC waived midfielder Elbekay Bouchiba. The 33-year-old did not play a game for Toronto FC in 2011 following knee surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered during the pre-season.
