Whitecaps FC announced today that the club has signed internationally experienced striker Robert Earnshaw, who confirmed his retirement from international football.
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Earnshaw, 33, has appeared in over 500 professional matches at the club level and appeared in 59 games with Wales scoring 16 goals.
“I’m very excited to officially join Whitecaps FC and be part of this great organization,” Earnshaw said. “The club has treated me well since I’ve been here. I’m thrilled to help the team continue to progress, while bringing enjoyment and passion to my new team.”
“First off, congratulations to Earnie on a fantastic international career,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “I had the privilege of representing Wales together with Earnie and he always gives his all in everything he does. Not only is he a natural goalscorer, he will also bring great character and leadership to our locker room, while passing along his experience to our young group of forwards.”
Earnshaw trialled with the ‘Caps during the preseason and over the past two seasons in the MLS has scored 11 goals while starting in 24 of his 31 appearances. Last season, he scored three goals in 174 minutes with Chicago Fire and in 2013 scored eight goals in 26 appearances with Toronto FC.
Earnshaw made his professional debut in 1998 with Cardiff City, after being developed through the club’s youth program. After six years with the club, he scored 105 in 201 appearances.
In 2004, Earnshaw joined with West Brom Albion in the English Premier League, scoring 12 goals in 43 matches. In 2006, he signed with Norwich City, scoring 27 goals in 45 matches before signing with Derby County the next year. He then played for Nottingham Forest from 2008 to 2011 scoring 43 goals in 98 appearances, before he rejoined Cardiff in 2011.
In 2012, Earnshaw was loaned to Maccabi Tel Aviv from the Israeli Premier League, where he made 10 appearances, scoring twice, before signing with Toronto FC. After leaving TFC, he made one appearance with Blackpool FC in England.
“I fell in love with football ever since I was a kid and went to my first Wales game,” Earnshaw said. “It has been a dream come true to have the opportunity to walk out in front of the whole nation and represent Wales in so many important games.”
Earnshaw is the only player to record a hat-trick in the Premier League, all three divisions of the English Football League, the League Cup, the FA Cup and for his country in an international match.
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