Club Puebla Loans Mares To Vancouver FC

As we had independently confirmed two weeks ago, Mexican winger Cristian Mares will join Vancouver FC on loan for the club’s debut Canadian Premier League season.

The 18-year-old right winger has turned heads aplenty at the youth level in Puebla, where he’s demonstrated great bursts of speed and solid technique from the U-15 level all the way to the U-20.

The most recent Liga MX U-20 season saw him score four goals in 17 appearances, with Mares ranking among the league’s top dribblers. While former Club Puebla head coach Nicolas Larcamon had considered him for a bench option at the senior level, the club is now looking to the Canadian Premier League to give him his first senior minutes.

Vancouver FC head coach Afshin Ghotbi had told us that the club has made a few international signings already, with one of the targeted demographics being young internationals who have evident talent, but can’t break into their respective first team as of yet. In that, Mares certainly fits the bill.

“I am excited to experience playing soccer in another country for the first time by joining Vancouver,” said Mares of the move. “I am eager to fight for my place in the starting eleven as I play my part to make the club’s first season a memorable one.” 

The five-foot-eight attacking midfielder was announced alongside Mael Henry, a highly-rated prospect from CF Montreal.

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Vancouver’s press release suggests that the winger can also be played as a forward, and shows promise with the ball at his feet as one of the most promising young dribblers in the Liga MX youth ranks.

“Thank you very much Club Puebla for these five years of learning,” said Mares online. “I am very grateful to the club and the people who make up it, the whole technical body and colleagues who were always there for me to open the doors, for always looking for the best for me, for all the teachings, to form me as footballer and better person, thank all the people who were day to day with me, all thanks to all those people I am fulfilling one of my dreams, thank you for everything.”

“Mael and Cristian are both young players with lots of potential,” added head coach Afshin Ghotbi. “I look forward to putting them both in the best situations to challenge them and continue their development this season.”

It was not confirmed whether there is a recall clause in the loan contract of Mares, who now arrives to Canadian pastures with plenty of intrigue surrounding him,