VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Monday that centre back Joshué Ndakala and midfielder Antoine Coupland have been signed to new contracts with Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2).
“Our WFC2 team features a core of talented young prospects, with seven returning Canadians and every player 20 or younger,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “We look forward to continuing to push all players forward in their development.”
The eight total returning players combined to play 7,681 U-20 minutes during the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season.
Coupland, who turns 20 on December 12, made 23 starts in 26 appearances in MLS NEXT Pro this past season, recording two goals and four assists.
Ndakala, 19, made 11 starts in 12 appearances appearances during his second season in MLS NEXT Pro, scoring one goal.
The returning pair brings the current WFC2 roster to 11 players signed for the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season, with centre back Finn Linder and midfielder Jay Herdman also signed to new contracts.
WFC2 players under contract for 2024:
Defenders (5): Mihail Gherasimencov, Darko Ilić, Finn Linder, Joshué Ndakala, Dembo Saidykhan
Midfielders (4): Antoine Coupland, Jay Herdman, Malek Mehri, Malcolm Simmons
Forwards (2): Cyprian Kachwele, Lowell Wright
