Deiber Caicedo loaned out to Junior in Columbia

Loan

It's a one year loan to Junior they play in the Categoria Premera A league in Columbia. No but option, I believe but Junior can permanently buy him after the loan or get in negotiations to buy him during the loan. There just isn't a specific fee, I am pretty sure. The Caps have also extended Caicedo's contract, till 2025. If Junior doesn't buy Caicedo, he will return to the Caps on July 31, 2024. This deal happened on August 1, 2023 but was only announced on August 3rd.

Past

Deiber Caicedo was originally brought to the Caps in the beginning 2021, he was brought in from Deportivo Cali. He was supposed to be utilized in Marc Dos Santos's 4-3-3, at the time Caicedo was only 20 years old and had loads of potential. He looked promising scoring 5 goals and assisting 5 times in the 2021 MLS Season. But there was a manager switch, firing Marc Dos Santos and temporarily hiring Vanni Sartini. But Vanni disliked playing with wingers, thus Caicedo's main position gone. Caicedo continued starting for the Whitecaps, in the beginning of 2022, but was forced to play out of position usually as a left wing-back or striker. The only goal he scored, was a stunning free-kick versus FC Dallas.

Injuries

Caicedo then unfortunately suffered a meniscus tear facing the New England Revolution, it happened on June 26, 2022. He underwent a successful surgery around a week later, the Columbian was unavailable for the 2022 season, and was looking forward to the 2023 season. Caicedo returned to the Caps, a bit after the season opened, Deiber Caicedo was subbed onto the pitch for the first time since the meniscus tear, versus Minnesota United on March 25, 2023. Then he had some chances, as he was 1v1 against the Portland keeper, but his shot was stopped. Then in the game versus Sporting Kansas City, he was given a accurate cross by Gauld, in the dying moments he tries A volley that went above the crossbar. A Canadian Championship Final chance for Caicedo, a close shot that went just wide. To add on to the unluckyness, Caicedo hit the crossbar in the game against the Galaxy. He did score 2 very cheeky penalties vs Club Leon in the long shootout. After not getting a goal and only having one assist Only starting 2 games for theaps, after the injury, it was about time Caicedo got a loan to get more playing time.

Thoughts

I believe Caicedo could've been a wonderful player if not for unluckyness, the injuries and the coaching change affected Deiber Caicedo. As the injury set him back, and it effected his pace. If the injury never happened, I see Deiber still being a consistent first team player, like before the injury. I believe he wasn't bad in the limited time he was playing, I thought he was a good substitute to bring some fresh legs onto the pitch. I just wish he never suffered that horrific injury, as I believe that was what ruined him from being a starter and the reason for his loan move. Also when Vanni was hired, him playing Caicedo's in a unfamiliar position wasn't smart. It's a fact that Sartini doesn't like to play with wingers, but he could've adjusted Caicedo to play sorta like a winger like in a CAM spot he could've gotten results and would still be at this squad, I am convinced that the firing of Marc Dos Santos may have been bad for Caicedo's career.

Does Caicedo have a future with the Caps?

My honest answer is I don't know, but the more I think the more I believe that he will not play a game for the Caps ever again. As he is 23 now, it's either he plays really well in Columbia and Junior signs him or we sell Caicedo to another club in South America. Even though the Caps extended the contract till 2025, the probability of him coming back to the Whitecaps isn't all that low, especially since they signed the contract till 2025. I suspect a transfer to get some money in right after the loan.