VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that the club has transferred midfielder Stuart Armstrong to English Championship club Sheffield Wednesday.
“Stuart was presented with an opportunity to return to England with the goal of playing again in the Premier League,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “We are thankful to Stuart, respected his decision, and wish him and his family all the best.
“We have a talented group preparing for the new season and everyone at the club believes in the objectives we set at the start of the year. We are continuing to pursue new additions and this move opens up additional possibilities to use either of the league’s roster construction models, and we will use this opportunity to decide how to get the best from all available options.”
Armstrong, 32, made a total of 10 MLS appearances for Whitecaps FC, including the MLS Cup Playoffs. In that time, the Scotsman scored two goals and recorded two assists. Additionally, Armstrong came on as a substitute in the final as the ‘Caps won a third straight TELUS Canadian Championship.
“Although I was only in Vancouver for a short time, I am extremely grateful for the kindness I received from the club and the fans,” added Armstrong. “I am also so thankful to have been a part of one of the best groups of people I have ever met. I will of course miss the beautiful city, but more importantly I will miss the people in it. I will continue to support the team from afar and wish them nothing but success for the future.”
Sheffield Wednesday are currently three points outside of the promotion playoffs and are managed by Danny Röhl, who previously coached Armstrong at Southampton FC.
Whitecaps FC kick off their 2025 campaign in the Concacaf Champions Cup, playing in Costa Rica against Deportiva Saprissa on February 20. The ‘Caps will then open the MLS season at Portland Timbers on February 23, host the second leg versus Saprissa at BC Place on February 27, and play their MLS home opener presented by TELUS against LA Galaxy at BC Place on March 2.
For the latest information, follow @WhitecapsFC on social media and stay tuned to whitecapsfc.com.
TRANSACTION: On January 31, 2025, Whitecaps FC transfer midfielder Stuart Armstrong to English side Sheffield Wednesday.
MLS Roster Construction Models
All clubs are required to declare a roster construction model by the Roster Compliance Date at the beginning of the season on Friday, February 21. However, clubs will conditionally have the opportunity to update their roster construction model at midseason – between July 1 and the close of the Secondary Transfer Window on August 21.
This will allow clubs more flexibility to acquire Designated Players and U22 Initiative Players in the Secondary Transfer Window, while also providing another opportunity to invest additional General Allocation Money.
Designated Player Model
Clubs can use:
- Up to three Designated Player roster slots
- Up to three U22 Initiative roster slots
U22 Initiative Player Model
Clubs can use:
- Up to two Designated Player roster slots
- Up to four U22 Initiative roster slots
- Up to an additional $2 million in General Allocation Money (GAM)
The increased GAM can be used to "buy down" a player's Salary Budget Charge, sign players new to MLS, re-sign an existing MLS player, offset acquisition costs and more.
Conditions for updating roster construction models at midseason:
- Updates must be made between July 1 and the close of the Secondary Transfer Window on August 21.
- U22 Initiative Player Model to Designated Player Model – The club must have used $1 million or less of the additional GAM and have no more than three U22 Initiative Players on their roster as of their updated declaration.
- Designated Player Model to U22 Initiative Player Model – The club may only invest up to $1 million of additional GAM during the remainder of the season and must have no more than two Designated Players on their roster as of their updated declaration.
