A former Vancouver Whitecaps defender has found a new home with Toronto FC.

The Whitecaps announced Tuesday that they have released Cristian Gutierrez, who was picked up by Toronto.

Gutierrez, 26, spent three seasons with Vancouver, playing wingback in 42 Major League Soccer games and registering six assists.

Que. Born in Greenfield Park, he moved to Colombia at the age of three and played five seasons in the Chilean Primera Division before joining the Whitecaps in 2020.

Gutierrez played for Chile’s U-20 team and was called up to the Canadian Men’s National Team in January 2021.

Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini said on Tuesday that the young defender has struggled over the past year with both injuries and his attitude.

“Last year he was angry at times because he didn’t play. He didn’t react in the right way,” Sartini said in a video call. “At some point last year I thought he didn’t want to stay.”

Gutierrez finished the 2022 campaign with Vancouver’s MLS NextPro side, WFC 2.

Sartini said, ‘The Caps decided to waive Gutierrez because the defenseman didn’t see many opportunities to play this season.