Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that striker/winger Omar Salgado has been loaned to the club's United Soccer Leagues (USL) PRO affiliate, Charleston Battery - pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.

"Omar is a young player with a lot of potential and this loan is a natural step following two seasons with limited playing time," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "Our partnership with the Battery provides the opportunity for Omar to earn first team minutes, with a number of his peers, during this stretch of our MLS season."

Salgado, 20, joined Whitecaps FC in advance of the club's inaugural Major League Soccer campaign after being selected first overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. After appearing in 14 MLS regular season matches in his rookie campaign, a fractured foot limited Salgado to just seven appearances over the past two seasons.