Whitecaps FC Acquire League-Leading Wingback Julian Gressel

July 15, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that the club has acquired wingback Julian Gressel from D.C. United in exchange for up to $900,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) – $400,000 in 2022 GAM, $200,000 in 2023 GAM and $300,000 in conditional 2024 GAM if Gressel appears in three MLS matches between the 2022 and 2023 MLS seasons.

Gressel, 28, has been one of the top playmakers in MLS since joining the league in 2017. His 58 regular season assists are second most in MLS over that period, trailing only New York City FC attacking midfielder Maximiliano Moralez with 66. Playing as both a wingback and midfielder in his career, Gressel has also scored 19 goals in 171 regular season appearances.

Whitecaps FC wingback Julian Gressel

58 MLS regular season assists since 2017, second most in the league during that period

13 assists during the 2021 MLS regular season, third most overall

2018 MLS Cup winner and 2019 U.S. Open Cup winner with Atlanta United FC

2017 MLS Rookie of the Year

“We are always looking for opportunities to take our team to the next level and Julian is the perfect fit. He has been on our radar for a long time, and we are very happy we got this deal done,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “Over the past five plus years in the league, Julian has proven to be one of the best players in MLS, regardless of position, and is a league leader in assists. His ability to cross the ball and to set up his teammates in good positions will add additional quality to our group. Not only this, but Julian plays with great intensity and brings the versatility to play as a midfielder, where he helped Atlanta win an MLS Cup. Overall, he is a fantastic player, and we are thrilled to welcome him and his family to Vancouver.”

This season, Gressel has started 16 of his 17 MLS appearances and led D.C. United with seven assists, which is second highest among wingbacks or fullbacks and tied for eighth most in the league. In 2021, he led the team with 13 assists, third highest in MLS behind only New England Revolution attacking midfielder Carles Gil and CF Montreal attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic.

The native of Neustadt, Germany first entered the league when he was selected eighth overall by then expansion side Atlanta United FC in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft out of Providence College. After his first season he was honoured as 2017 MLS Rookie of the…