Whitecaps FC Summer Window Transfer Tracker

VANCOUVER, BC – The Major League Soccer summer transfer window officially closed on Wednesday, September 2, bringing an end to a busy and eventful period for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. With several moves completed during the window, the club has added additional competition across the roster as they prepare for the crucial final stretch of the 2026 campaign, including the remainder of the MLS regular season, the TELUS Canadian Championship, and the MLS Cup Playoffs. 

Whitecaps FC acquired six new players, consisting of centre back Sebastián Ramírez, right back Rui Modesto, midfielders Aleksa Cvetković and Emrick Fotsing, as well as forwards Kwasi Poku and Yadaly Diaby.  

The club also loaned midfielder Liam Mackenzie and forward Nelson Pierre to CPL side Halifax Wanderers FC and added new multi-year deals with centre back Ralph Priso and fullback Tate Johnson.

In addition, Whitecaps FC bid farewell to centre backs Joedrick Pupe and Sebastian Schonlau, midfielders Sebastian Berhalter and J.C. Ngando, as well as attacking midfielder A.Z. Jackson.

Here’s a quick summary of the newest ’Caps:

• Canadian international forward Kwasi Poku was acquired via transfer from Belgian side RWDM Brussels. The 23-year-old has signed a contract through the 2027-28 MLS season, with a club option for the 2028-29 season. Poku is recovering from a hamstring injury and building his fitness levels.
• Serbian youth international Aleksa Cvetković came to the ‘Caps via transfer from Serbian SuperLiga side OFK Beograd. The 21-year-old midfielder has agreed to a U22 Initiative contract through the 2029-30 MLS season, with a club option for the 2030-31 season. 
• Canadian youth international Emrick Fotsing was acquired via transfer from Canadian Premier League (CPL) side Vancouver FC. The 18-year-old has signed a contract through the 2029-30 MLS season, with a club option for the 2030-31 season. Fotsing sustained a hip injury while on international duty with Canada’s U-20 side and is currently rehabbing with the ’Caps sports medicine and science team. He is expected to return to Vancouver FC on loan later this month for the remainder of the 2026 season before joining Whitecaps FC ahead of the 2027 MLS Sprint Season.
• The club acquired 20-year-old Colombian centre back Sebastián Ramírez on loan from Colombia’s Categoría Primera A side Fortaleza CEIF through June 2027. The loan agreement includes an option to purchase. 
• Rui Modesto, the 26-year-old right back, came to the club via transfer from Italian Serie A side Udinese. The Angolan international has signed a contract through the 2029-30 MLS season, with a club option for the 2030-31 season.  
• Guinea international forward Yadaly Diaby was acquired via transfer from French Ligue 2 side Grenoble Foot 38. The 26-year-old has agreed to a contract through the 2029-30 MLS season, with a club option for the 2030-31 season.

With the summer transfer window closed, teams can still add players to their rosters by signing free agents or players who are already playing professionally in Canada. The 2026 Roster Freeze Date is Friday, October 9, when clubs must submit their final 30-player rosters. From that date through the day after MLS Cup, roster changes are no longer permitted, except in cases of Extreme Hardship.