Alejandro Díaz Returns to Canada with Vancouver FC
Published on July 11, 2023 under Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Vancouver FC News Release
Langley, BC - Vancouver Football Club announced today the acquisition of international striker Alejandro Díaz, who joins the club on loan from Sogndal Football of Norway's 1. Division.
"We are thrilled to add Alejandro, who has proven he can not only score but dominate in attack in the Canadian Premier League," said Afshin Ghotbi, Head Coach, Vancouver FC. "As we enter the summer transfer window, we have an opportunity to improve our selection with new signings, and bringing in Alejandro certainly accomplishes that."
Díaz, 27, returns to Canada after spending 10 months with Sogndal Football in 1. Division, the second tier of men's football in Norway. The striker joined Sogndal from Pacific FC in August 2022, scoring six goals in 11 appearances for the Norwegian side last season. This season, Díaz made eight regular season appearances for Sogndal and earned three appearances in the NM Cupen, registering two goals.
"I'm really happy and excited to come back to the CPL and Canada," says Díaz. "My family and I had an amazing time when we were here last and I'm super excited to play a part in this new expansion team, Vancouver FC. I can't wait to join the team, to see everyone, and to play at Willoughby Park."
The native of Mexico has previously spent parts of three seasons with Pacific FC, after signing with the Vancouver Island-based club ahead of the 2020 season. During his tenure at Pacific, Díaz set the franchise record for goals with 31 in all competitions. He is currently ranked-third in CPL history for goals scored in league play with 26, and is the reigning CPL Golden Boot Winner after scoring 13 goals in just 18 appearances in 2022. Díaz is the only player to register two hat tricks in league history and is one of just five CPL players to score three goals in one match, alongside Forge FC's Terran Campbell, Tristan Borges, and Woobens Pacies as well as former York9 FC forward Rodrigo Gattas.
Díaz was part of the Pacific squad that won the CPL Final in 2021, an achievement he shared with now Vancouver FC teammates Callum Irving and Kadin Chung. Pacific's championship win earned the club a berth in the Scotiabank Concacaf League. Díaz competed in the first round of that tournament for Pacific, scoring a hat-trick in the second leg match against Waterhouse FC of the Jamaica Premier League.
Prior to moving to Canada, Díaz came up through Liga MX giant Club América's youth academy, making his professional debut with the senior team in 2014. Díaz won two Concacaf Champions League titles and one Liga MX Apertura championship with Club América. His time with the club also included loan stints with Necaxa, Atlas and Zacatepec.
"With [Díaz's] addition, we believe we greatly improve our chances to qualify for the playoffs and beyond in our inaugural season," says Ghotbi. "Goals win games, and Díaz scores them in bunches."
Díaz has represented the Mexican national team at both the Under-17 and Under-20 levels, winning a Concacaf Championship in each age group in 2013 and 2015, respectively, as well as the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in 2013.
Díaz is set to begin training with Vancouver on July 11, 2023 and could make his first appearance with his new CPL team on July 16, 2023 when VFC visits Atlético Ottawa at TD Place. Fans can catch their first sight of the reigning Golden Boot Winner when VFC returns to Willoughby Park on July 22, 2023 to host Cavalry FC.
Canadian Premier League Stories from July 11, 2023
- Cavalry FC Announces the Appointment of Jake Davis as Goalkeeper Coach - Cavalry FC
- Match Preview: Cavalry FC Host Atlético Ottawa in Calgary - Atletico Ottawa
- Alejandro Díaz Returns to Canada with Vancouver FC - Vancouver FC
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