VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that the club has signed experienced MLS free agent forward Fabrice-Jean "Fafà" Picault through 2024, with an option for 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome Fafà to Vancouver,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “Fafà has been a consistently strong attacking player throughout his time in MLS. Not only that, but he brings tremendous character to our team. His experience and ability to bring a different dimension to our attack will be invaluable as we navigate our biggest season in MLS yet.”
Whitecaps FC forward Fafà Picault
- 48 goals and 24 assists in 202 MLS appearances, including MLS Cup Playoffs
- Nine goals in all competitions during the 2023 season with Nashville SC
- Two seasons with double digit MLS goals (2021 with Houston and 2018 with Philadelphia)
- Four goals and three assists in 22 league appearances with German 2.Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli from 2015-17
“I’m beyond thrilled to join Vancouver, as I truly believe in the potential of the team and what can be accomplished this year,” added Picault. “I’m excited to play for mister Vanni, and in this new setting, in front of amazing fans. With the combination of experience, hunger, and plenty of youth still in my legs, I feel this can potentially be one of my best seasons in MLS.”
Picault, 32, has spent the past seven years in MLS, scoring 48 goals and adding 24 assists while making 202 appearances playing for Philadelphia Union, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo FC, and Nashville SC.
During the 2023 season, “the Gazelle” scored nine goals for Nashville in all competitions, including the MLS regular season, U.S. Open Cup, and Leagues Cup where he scored in both the semifinal and final. The product of New York has twice recorded double digit scoring seasons in MLS play, netting 11 goals in 2021 with Houston and 10 goals with Philadelphia in 2018.
Prior to playing in MLS, Picault spent three years playing in Europe with German 2. Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli, where he recorded four goals and three assists in 22 league appearances from 2015-17, and a brief spell in Czech Republic with Sparta Prague.
In his youth, Picault played for the youth and reserve sides of Italian club Cagliari before moving on to kickstart his professional career with Tampa Bay Rowdies and Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
At the international level, Picault made two appearances for the United States men’s national team in 2016 and 2018. Born to Haitian parents, Picault made a one-time switch to Haiti, with whom he has gone on to play with at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup and Concacaf Nations League.
TRANSACTION: On January 11, 2024 Whitecaps FC signed MLS free agent Fafà Picault through 2024, with an option for 2025.
Fabrice-Jean "Fafà" Picault
Pronunciation: Fah-fah Pea-CO
Position: Forward
Height: 5-08
Weight: 140 pounds
Date of Birth: February 23, 1991, in Manhattan, New York
Hometowns: Manhattan, New York & Miami, Florida
Citizenship: United States, Haiti
Status: Domestic
Previous Clubs: Nashville SC (2023), Houston Dynamo FC (2021-22), FC Dallas (2020), Philadelphia Union (2017-19), FC St. Pauli (2015-17), Sparta Prague (2015), Fort Lauderdale Strikers (2014), Tampa Bay Rowdies (2012)
Youth Clubs: Cagliari (2006-2011)
Instagram: @fafapicault
X: @fafagoal23
