VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed midfielder Christian Bolanos to a multi-year contract.

The Costa Rican international will join the Major League Soccer team pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, Canadian work permit and visa.

The Whitcecaps used targeted allocation money to acquire Bolanos from Costa Rican Primera Division side Deportivo Saprissa.

Bolanos has made 60 appearances for Costa Rica, including the 2006 and 2014 FIFA World Cup.

"Christian is a proven winner," Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said in a statement. "He's a player we've coveted for a while and we're delighted to add his wealth of experience to our club. Christian is a natural winger and we expect him to complement our young attacking players very well."

Bolanos, 31, joins Whitecaps FC after recently completing a successful second stint with Saprissa. The winger scored five goals in 14 appearances in all competitions.

"I'm very excited to join Whitecaps FC," Bolanos said. "This is a new challenge for me and a big responsibility. I look forward to meeting my new teammates and getting training started for the new season. My goal is to help this club win a championship."