VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps announced on Wednesday that the club has acquired Canadian international wingback Richie Laryea on loan from Nottingham Forest of the English Premier League. Laryea’s loan agreement runs through December 31, 2023. Laryea will be added to the club’s roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and medical.
Whitecaps FC wingback Richie Laryea
- Three appearances at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup for Canada
- Fifth amongst MLS defenders in dribbles completed since 2019 with 127
- 218 career appearances for club and country
“Richie is a winner, competitor, leader and has proven to be one of the best fullbacks in our league,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “Since the end of 2021, he has played in every single national team game, including all three World Cup games. We are very pleased to welcome Richie, Melanie and their son Elijah, to our family.”
Laryea, 28, arrives in Vancouver having most recently completed an 11-month loan with Toronto FC. The wingback started all 29 of his appearances, scoring two goals and adding seven assists.
- Catch Laryea in action at BC Place – secure seats at whitecapsfc.com/tickets
Laryea joined his parent club Nottingham Forest in January 2022 and made five appearances as the side earned promotion to the English Premier League.
Prior to his time in England, Laryea played three seasons with Toronto FC after signing with the club as a free agent in 2019. The Canadian international started 69 of his 83 appearances across all competitions for the Reds, recording nine goals as well as 12 assists and helping the side secure the 2019 Eastern Conference Championship.
Laryea originally began his career with Eastern Conference side Orlando City SC. The wingback was selected seventh overall at the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by the Lions and went on to start three of his 21 appearances, adding one assist. During his time with the club, Laryea went on loan to Orlando City B in the USL Championship, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 35 appearances across two seasons.
In his career, Laryea has amassed 173 appearances at the professional club level.
At the international level, Laryea has tallied one goal and six assists in 45 appearances for Canada’s men’s national team, with three of those appearances coming at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar. Most recently, Laryea started all four of Canada’s matches at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup alongside Whitecaps FC midfielder Ali Ahmed. Laryea has also played in FIFA Men’s World Cup Qualifying, Concacaf Nations League, and international friendly matches for his country. In addition, Laryea has previously represented Canada at the U-23 level.
In his youth, Laryea spent time with League1 Ontario side Sigma FC and local academy Club Uruguay.
TRANSACTION: On August 2, 2023, Whitecaps FC acquire Richie Laryea on loan from Nottingham Forest through December 31, 2023.
Richie Laryea
Pronunciation: la-RAY-ah
Position: Wingback
Height: 5-09
Weight: 150 pounds
Date of Birth: January 7, 1995 in Toronto, Ontario
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Citizenship: Canada
Status: Domestic
Previous Clubs: Nottingham Forest (2022-present), Toronto FC (2019-22, 2022-23 – on loan), Orlando City SC (2016-18), Orlando City B (2016-17 – on loan)
University: University of Akron
Youth Teams: Sigma FC, Club Uruguay
Instagram: @richielaryea
Twitter: @RichieLaryea_
