Vancouver Whitecaps CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster has been busy of late, putting pen to paper on four acquisitions during the summer transfer window.
Two more moves are coming, as the Whitecaps are finalizing a pair of additions to strengthen their depth and attacking options before the MLS secondary transfer window closes on Sept. 2.
Whitecaps acquire winger/full-back out of Italy
Daily Hive can confirm that the transfer of 26-year-old Rui Modesto is expected to be completed next week. Modesto is a winger/full-back that Serie A club Udinese has loaned out to Palermo in Serie B, the second division of Italian football.
Born in Portugal, Modesto represents Angola on the international stage. He should compete and provide depth at right back where Edier Ocampo has had a breakout campaign.
New striker on the way
The Whitecaps are also closing on Yadaly Diaby from Ligue 2 side Grenoble in France. The Saint-Étienne-born striker scored nine goals last season and has already potted two goals in three appearances this season. Diaby, who can also play on the wing, should provide depth behind leading scorer Brian White.
Born in France, the 26-year-old represents Guinea internationally.
Cvetković arrives in Vancouver
Serbian midfielder Aleksa Cvetković has officially joined his new teammates in Vancouver. Cvetković completed his medical on Thursday morning at the National Soccer Development Centre.
The 21-year-old was running laps on his own and working through fitness testing off to the side. Cvetković is expected to advance to full training in the coming days.
#VWFC’s Aleksa Cvetković has arrived in Vancouver. He is currently warming up as training is just getting underway at NSDC. #MLS pic.twitter.com/YEgviYnC4C
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) August 27, 2026
Whitecaps players had Cvetković run through a welcoming tunnel prior to training on Thursday.
“Aleksa was out there,” Blackmon said. “I think we’re a club that prides ourselves on the culture we have here in welcoming guys in. I think they’ve felt that so far. Once they start playing and training, and getting games, they’ll feel that more and more and from the fans as well and being in the city. It’s awesome to welcome new guys.”
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Ramirez getting close
Among the new Whitecaps players that have arrived in Vancouver, Ramirez looks to be the closest to potentially playing in a match. The 20-year-old Miami-born Colombian-American was working in the gym on Thursday morning. Ramirez could see time at centre-back, but before that can happen, he needs to get his match fitness up to a level where he can play.
“He’s looked good,” Jesper Sørensen told Daily Hive following Thursday’s training session. “He hasn’t played that much, but he looks quite good, and he looks ready to play. We have to see what we do with him over the weekend.”
Kwasi Poku
Kwasi Poku isn’t close to being an option for the Whitecaps. The 23-year-old Brampton-born striker continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury that he had prior to joining Vancouver. Poku was acquired from Belgian side RWDM on July 30.
When can fans expect to see Poku contributing on the pitch?
“I really don’t know,” Sørensen said. “We haven’t seen him much on the training ground yet. We have to see him make an impact out here (at training) before we can really assess how much he can do for us in games.”
Injury updates
Whitecaps midfielder Jeevan Badwal will be available for selection on Saturday when Vancouver visits Sporting Kansas City. Badwal was in concussion protocol last week.
Meanwhile, Ralph Priso is sidelined with an ankle injury and will not be an option for Sørensen this weekend. There is some hope that Priso could be available on Sept. 2 vs Montreal in the Canadian Championship semi-final first leg at BC Place.