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Vancouver Whitecaps are adding two more defenders from Europe

Rob Williams
Rob Williams
|
Aug 20 2025, 7:27 pm
Vancouver Whitecaps are adding two more defenders from Europe
FCV Dender EH/Facebook

The Vancouver Whitecaps have been busy following the signing of Thomas Müller.

That signing made headlines across the globe, as the Bayern Munich star chose Vancouver as his landing spot. But while the Müller addition is a massive boost to the Whitecaps’ fortunes on the pitch, he doesn’t fill their greatest area of need.

Season-ending injuries to defenders Ranko Veselinović and Sam Adekugbe decimated Vancouver’s back line, and Bjørn Inge Utvik proved incapable of picking up the slack.

Consequently, the Whitecaps are making at least three moves before the summer transfer window closes Aug. 21. All of them involve defenders.

As Daily Hive reported on Tuesday, the Whitecaps have agreed to a deal with Bundesliga club Hamburg for centre back Sebastian Schonlau. The 31-year-old served as Hamburg’s captain in the German second division, and recently helped the club get promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time since 2018.

Daily Hive can also confirm that the Whitecaps have also agreed to a transfer with Belgian club FCV Dender for their captain, 6-foot-3 defender Joedrick Pupe. The 28-year-old native of Brugge has played both left back and centre back in 57 appearances for Dender since 2023, helping the club earn promotion to the Belgian top division in 2024.

On the way out of town is Utvik, per the reporting of Daily Hive soccer writer Har Johal. The 29-year-old Norwegian is headed back to his former club, Sarpsborg 08, for a $250,000 transfer fee.

Schonlau and Pupe appear to represent replacements for Veselinović and Adekugbe. More good news could be on the way for the Whitecaps, as Jesper Sørensen said recently that he’s optimistic captain Ryan Gauld will return before the end of the season.

The Whitecaps are looking to make a serious run at the MLS Cup for the first time in their history. They’ve overcome significant injury trouble this season and have been among the top clubs in Major League Soccer all season.

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