High-priced Vancouver Whitecaps player bails on team after just five months
Stuart Armstrong, we hardly knew you.
The former Premier League player signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps in September, but his time with the club has already come to an end.
Daily Hive can confirm reports that Armstrong is being transferred to Sheffield Wednesday, a club in the English League Championship. The 32-year-old Scottish midfielder is travelling to Sheffield today to finalize the agreement.
It’s an unusual end to what amounted to a tenure of less than five months for one of Vancouver’s Designated Players. Armstrong was the second-highest-paid player on the Whitecaps roster, making US$2.9 million annually. He was signed through the 2026 season.
Armstrong appeared in just 10 MLS matches, six in the regular season and four in the playoffs, scoring two goals.
It seems Armstrong valued a move back to the United Kingdom. He was also linked to West Bromwich Albion, Burnley, and Southampton, his former club, per Whitecaps reporter Har Johal.
It’s not great news for the Whitecaps, who didn’t exactly make a splash with offseason signings. They did recently sign Jayden Nelson, a 22-year-old forward from the Canadian men’s national team. The Whitecaps also have a new coach and, of course, are still searching for a new owner.
MLS teams are allowed up to three Designated Players, whose total compensation and acquisition costs are allowed to exceed the Salary Budget Charge. The Whitecaps now have just two on their roster: Ryan Gauld and Andres Cubas.
Vancouver can choose to replace Armstrong with another DP, or opt for an additional U22 initiative roster slot instead.
The Whitecaps are currently training in Marbella, Spain, ahead of the start of the MLS regular season next month. Vancouver’s first match is in Portland on February 23. Their home match at BC Place is against LA Galaxy on March 2.
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