VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that Whitecaps FC 2 has signed Canadian striker Easton Ongaro to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through 2022, pending receipt of his international transfer certificate.
Whitecaps FC 2 striker Easton Ongaro
- Currently tied for most all-time Canadian Premier League goals with 25
- Ranked eighth in the CPL’s top 50 players list in 2021
- One goal in six matches with Romanian first division side UTA Arad in 2022
“After being in contact last winter, we are pleased to welcome Easton to Vancouver,” said Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster. “He proved himself as one of the best strikers in the Canadian Premier League, and he now wants to take the next step with the opportunity to continue pushing himself at our club.”
Ongaro, 24, most recently spent time with Romanian first division side UTA Arad, scoring one goal in six appearances, including one start.
Prior to making the move to Europe, the forward started 40 of his 57 appearances in all competitions for Canadian Premier League side FC Edmonton across three seasons, scoring 25 goals and adding five assists. Last season, Ongaro finished as the third highest scorer in the league with 11 goals. His performances saw him ranked eighth in the league’s top 50 players list during the year. Ongaro currently sits tied for first in all-time goals in the Canadian Premier League.
During the 2020-21 season, Ongaro also spent time on loan with Danish second division side Vendsyssel FF, where he tallied two goals across six starts and eight appearances across all competitions.
In his youth, Ongaro played for the University of Alberta as well as Alberta Major Soccer League (AMSL) side Edmonton Green and Gold. In 2018, he was selected 15th overall by Cavalry FC in the CPL-U Sports Draft.
TRANSACTION: On July 7, Whitecaps FC sign striker Easton Ongaro to an MLS NEXT Pro contract with Whitecaps FC 2 through 2022.
Easton Ongaro
Position: Striker
Height: 6-06
Weight: 195 pounds
Date of Birth: June 5, 1998, in Edmonton, Alberta
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Citizenship: Canadian
Status: Domestic
Professional Clubs: UTA Arad (2022), FC Edmonton (2019-21), Vendsyssel FF (2020 – loan)
Instagram: @eastonongaro
Twitter: @EastonOngaro
