VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that the club has exercised the 2024 Major League Soccer contract options on five players, bringing the first team roster to 19 players for next year, as well as two players out on loan.
Whitecaps FC exercised the 2024 contract options on goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer, wingback Ryan Raposo, as well as forwards Simon Becher and Levonte Johnson. The club also exercised the 2024 and 2025 contract options on centre back Tristan Blackmon.
The club declined the options on goalkeeper Thomas Hasal, centre back Matteo Campagna, and midfielder Kamron Habibullah. Hasal will be eligible for MLS Free Agency, while Campagna and Habibullah will be eligible for the MLS Re-Entry Draft.
"We are thankful to Thomas, Matteo, and Kamron for their time and service to the club,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “All three players have spent a significant period of their life at this club and they will always be welcome here. We believe now is the right time to go in another direction and we wish them well in the next step of their careers."
The club is continuing discussion with centre back Karifa Yao and midfielder Russell Teibert, who are both entering option years. The club's deadline for options to be exercised is December 1.
Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and forward Junior Hoilett are out of contract at the end of the year, while wingback Richie Laryea’s loan from Nottingham Forest runs until December 31, 2023. Discussions are also ongoing with all three players.
Midfielder Caio Alexandre remains on loan to Brazilian Série A side Fortaleza EC through December 31, 2023, and forward Déiber Caicedo is on loan to Colombian Categoría Primera A side Junior FC through July 31, 2024.
First team players under contract for 2024:
Goalkeepers (3): Max Anchor, Isaac Boehmer, Yohei Takaoka
Defenders (7): Sam Adekugbe, Tristan Blackmon, Javain Brown, Mathías Laborda, Luís Martins, Ryan Raposo, Ranko Veselinović
Midfielders (6): Ali Ahmed, Andrés Cubas, Ryan Gauld, J.C. Ngando, Alessandro Schöpf, Pedro Vite
Forwards (3): Simon Becher, Levonte Johnson, Brian White
*Away on loan:
Caio Alexandre - Brazilian Série A side Fortaleza EC, through December 2023
Déiber Caicedo - Colombian Categoría Primera A side Junior FC through July 2024
