On Thursday, Vancouver FC announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Renan Garcia through the end of the 2023 Canadian Premier League season, with a club option for 2024.

“Renan Garcia is a seasoned professional who can help to shape our culture at Vancouver FC,” said Afshin Ghotbi, Head Coach, Vancouver FC. “His experience and leadership in the midfield will help to direct our systems and manage our attacking strategies, and he will join our other new additions, Alejandro Diaz and Miki Cantave in setting the right professional examples for our young players on and off the field.”

Garcia, 37, spent much of his professional career playing for various European clubs, including U.C. Sampdoria in Italy, CFR Cluj in Romania and Vitória S.C. and S.C. Beira-Mar in Portugal. Garcia also spent two years in the United Arab Emirates Pro League, first with Al-Nasr and then with Emirates, registering more than 4,000 total league minutes. 

He most recently spent time with a pair of clubs in his native Brazil, Comercial Futebol Clube and Batatais Futebol Clube.

“I’m very excited to come to a new country that I’ve never been to before and to play in a new league with Vancouver FC,” says Garcia. “Coming to North America and Canada is a challenge for me, but I like a challenge.

“In my career, I played in many countries, and I have many experiences. I’m in a good place in life now to guide some of the younger guys and answer their questions with the hope of leading by example.”

In addition to signing Garcia, VFC and Gael Sandoval have mutually agreed to terminate the winger’s contract. Sandoval made 13 appearances for the expansion side in all competitions, registering one goal and three assists. 

VFC forward Shaan Hundal will now wear jersey No. 10 for Vancouver FC.

Vancouver FC have today also announced the mutual termination of Kourosh Jamshidi’s developmental contract.

Garcia is now eligible to make his CPL debut on Sunday, July 16, 2023, when Vancouver visits Atlético Ottawa in the nation’s capital.