Whitecaps FC Sign WFC2 Midfielders Jeevan Badwal and Jay Herdman to MLS Short-Term Agreements

February 6, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Tuesday that the club has signed Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) midfielders Jeevan Badwal and Jay Herdman to MLS short-term agreements for Wednesday’s Concacaf Champions Cup Round One first leg against Tigres UANL.

This marks the first time Badwal and Herdman have signed MLS short-term agreements. Most recently, the pair were part of the first team’s preseason training camp in Marbella, Spain.

“This is a great opportunity for Jeevan and Jay,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “Our second team is an extension of our first team, providing a clear pathway for all of our players such as Ali Ahmed, who started his career in MLS NEXT Pro and has gone on to play with the Canadian men’s national team. We look forward to seeing Jeevan, Jay, and all of our young players continue to progress in their development.”

Whitecaps FC midfielder Jeevan Badwal

17-year-old was the youngest player at Whitecaps FC preseason in Marbella, Spain

Five starts in eight MLS NEXT Pro appearances as an amateur player with WFC2 in 2023

Selected to the 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game

Started all three matches for Canada at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Badwal, 17, signed his first professional contract with WFC2 last week, becoming the 12th Canadian teenager to be signed to a professional contract since the side began play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2022.

In 2023, the product of Surrey, BC made five starts and eight appearances as an amateur player with WFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro.

Prior to moving up to MLS NEXT Pro, the young midfielder played with the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy in MLS NEXT, and was selected to the 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game. Badwal first joined the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy as a 13-year-old in 2019.

On the international stage, Badwal has represented Canada at the U-17 level, starting all three matches at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.

In his youth, Badwal played at Coastal FC, Surrey FC, Supra Academy, and B.E.S.T. Academy.

Whitecaps FC midfielder Jay Herdman

Participated in Whitecaps FC preseason in Marbella, Spain

Three goals, three assists in 14 starts and 26 appearances for WFC2 in MLS NEXT Pro

Started three matches for New Zealand at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring once

Herdman, 19, signed a new contract with WFC2 through 2024 this past November. The New Zealand youth international tallied one goal and two assists in five starts and…