VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that the club has acquired defensive midfielder Sebastian Berhalter from Columbus Crew in exchange for $50,000 in 2022 General Allocation Money (GAM) and up to $50,000 in conditional GAM if certain performance metrics are met. Columbus will also receive a percentage of the fee if Berhalter is transferred abroad. Berhalter will join the ’Caps in San Diego, California this weekend.
Whitecaps FC midfielder Sebastian Berhalter
- Member of the Crew Academy from 2014 to 2019
- Signed as a Homegrown Player in 2020 with Columbus and made nine first team appearances
- 18 appearances last year on loan with Austin FC
“Sebastian is a young player we’ve identified within the league who adds depth to our defensive midfield position as he brings high intensity in the press, strong work ethic and rates highly in defensive contributions,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “He will be added to our supplemental roster as we will continue to keep the door open for a more senior player at this position.”
Berhalter, 20, recorded five starts and 18 appearances while on loan with Western Conference side Austin FC last season.
A Crew Academy product, Berhalter was signed as a Homegrown player ahead of the 2020 season and went on to start four of his nine appearances for the club.
During his time with Columbus’ academy, Berhalter featured for the U-14, U-16, U-17 and U-19 teams across five years, starting 97 of his 103 appearances and scoring 11 goals. Notably, Berhalter helped the U-19 side finish third at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-19 tournament for the 2017-2018 season. Berhalter also made 16 appearances for the University of North Carolina as a freshman in 2019 prior to signing with Columbus’ first team.
At the international level, Berhalter has featured for the U.S. U-16 Men’s National Team. He is the son of current U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter.
TRANSACTION: On February 4, 2021, Whitecaps FC acquired midfielder Sebastian Berhalter from Columbus Crew in exchange for $50,000 in 2022 General Allocation Money (GAM) and up to $50,000 in conditional GAM if certain performance metrics are met.
Sebastian Berhalter
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-09
Weight: 155 pounds
Date of Birth: May 10, 2001, in London, England
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio
Citizenship: United States
Status: Domestic
Professional Clubs: Austin FC (2021 - loan), Columbus Crew (2020-22)
Instagram: @sebaberhalter
Twitter: @sebaberhalter
Acquired: Acquired by Vancouver Whitecaps FC via trade with Columbus Crew on February 4, 2022
