Vancouver Whitecaps have signed attacking midfielder Ryan Gauld to a four-year contract extension through the 2027 MLS campaign.
Gauld has established himself as one of the league’s premier creators upon arriving from Portuguese side Farense in July 2021. The 28-year-old’s current deal was set to expire at the end of 2024, but he’s now committed his future to Vancouver and BC Place.
The former Scotland youth international has been instrumental to Vancouver’s success, pushing them on to two Canadian Championships in 2022 and 2023 as well qualifying for MLS Cup playoffs in 2021 and 2023. So far, he’s notched 26 goals and dished out 29 assists in 94 appearances across all competitions for the Whitecaps.
“Since joining the club in the summer of 2021, Ryan has been the creative force behind our attack and one of the league’s best players. He has helped us push forward as a club by making the MLS Cup Playoffs twice and winning two Canadian Championships, all while bringing a top level of professionalism to the locker room every day,” Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said in a release.
“Ryan and his fiancée Kat have embraced the city as a second home and have supported local organizations in our community. We are pleased to confirm Ryan will be with us in the long term as he helps us achieve our goals in the years to come.”
The Scot has played for the likes of Dundee United and Hibernian in his home country while also making a name for himself in Portugal with Sporting CP, but it seems he’s found his permanent home in Vancouver.
“From day one, the support in the city has been great. My fiancée and I have felt welcomed by everyone in and around the club,” Gauld added.
“To know that I’m going to be in Vancouver for the next four years is a good feeling. We’ve loved the time we’ve had here, and we are looking forward to what’s to come.”
Gauld’s impact at the club has been so profound that he’s already Vancouver’s all-time assists leader in MLS play with 34, and he’s also just the second player to have tallied 20-plus goals and assists in league action.
The Western Conference team are set to compete in the upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup, taking on Liga MX giants Tigres in the first leg of their knockout stage clash on February 7 at BC Place. Vancouver kicks-off their 2024 MLS season with a home contest against Charlotte FC on February 24.
