One of the Vancouver Whitecaps' top Canadian players is on his way to Texas.
The Whitecaps have traded forward Jayden Nelson to Austin FC in exchange for the 17th overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft and $1.25 million in general allocation money, the team announced Thursday.
As part of the deal, the Whitecaps will also retain a percentage of future transfer fees on Nelson.
“First and foremost, we are extremely grateful to Jayden for his time at the club. He played a key role in our historic season, and we wish him every success in the next chapter of his career,” Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster said in a press release. “This move ultimately benefits all parties. It gives Jayden an excellent opportunity to earn regular minutes and continue pursuing his dream of playing in a World Cup on home soil. From our club’s perspective, we have several quality players in similar positions, and the allocation money acquired will be reinvested to further strengthen our squad as we continue pushing toward new heights in 2026.”
It was a short stint in Vancouver for Nelson, who joined the team in January from Norwegian club Rosenborg. In 37 appearances across all competitions, the Brampton, Ont., native tallied three goals and 12 assists.
In MLS play, Nelson appeared in 23 matches with 16 starts and had two goals and five assists. He came on as a substitute in stoppage time during the Whitecaps' MLS Cup Final loss to Inter Miami.
Concerning the general allocation money, the Whitecaps are set to receive $700,000 in 2026 and $550,000 in 2027, giving them extra funds to sign players or use for players' salaries.
The Whitecaps will get to use the acquired pick right away, with the 2026 MLS SuperDraft set to take place later on Thursday. They also possess the 29th pick in the first round.
