The Vancouver Whitecaps will have to plan for life without their talented playmaker, Davide Chiumiento, after the Swiss midfielder secured a move home and signed for FC Zurich.
The 27-year old has been influential to the Whitecaps’ success since 2010, playing a key role in the club’s impressive MLS season, so far.
While losing Chiumiento will be a major blow to the Whitecaps at this critical time of the season, it may open the door to one of the squad’s younger members to step up and prove their worth.
However, the loss of the midfielder does leave the Caps’ head coach, Martin Rennie, without a player that most MLS sides would have loved to have had in their squads, and someone who is capable of making the whole Whitecaps team tick.
The player’s future had been a popular topic of conversation among fans who bet on soccer games, in recent weeks.
Rennie did admit that the chance to play back in Switzerland with a team as big as Zurich was something Vancouver could not stop Chiumiento from accepting. He hailed the contribution the ever-present midfielder had made to the club, in his two years in Canada.
“Davide has been a very good player and ambassador for Whitecaps FC, during his time with the club,” said Rennie.
“This is a great opportunity for him to be closer to his family, while continuing his soccer career. We would like to thank Davide for all of his contributions to the club, and wish him the best of luck in the future.”
Currently fourth in the Western Conference, the Whitecaps will need to make sure that the loss of Chiumiento does not affect their push for the play-offs and the title.
Rennie will know that his side will need to maintain their consistency going into the final stages of the season, even without the calm influence brought to the team by their now departed playmaker.
The Whitecaps are currently 16/1 to claim the MLS Cup in the soccer betting tips on Bet365.
