VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed on Tuesday that defender Sam Adekugbe will join Swedish Allsvenskan club IFK Göteborg on loan through the end of 2017 - pending receipt of his international transfer certificate.
Adekugbe recently returned from a year-long loan spell with then English Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion FC, where he made five first-team starts and appearances, across all competitions, including a goal in League Cup action. He also made five starts with the club's U-23 side in the Premier League 2.
"Sam's year in England served him well, and he was rewarded with a call-up to the Gold Cup," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "This opportunity in Sweden will help him continue to grow as a professional football player while playing in a tough and competitive league. We'll continue to track his development."
The 22-year old left back now joins Göteborg of Allsvenskan, the top flight of the Swedish football league system. The Änglarna, or the Angels, finished fourth last season, and are the only club in the Nordic countries that has won a pan-European competition, winning the UEFA Cup in 1982 and 1987.
Born in London, England before moving to Calgary, Alberta as a child, Adekugbe recently helped Canada reach the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals. The defender started two group stage matches and has now earned five international appearances for Canada.
Adekugbe joined the Whitecaps FC Residency program in September 2011 and was signed to Vancouver's MLS roster as a Homegrown player in August 2013. He has started 18 of 25 first-team appearances across all competitions.
TRANSACTION: Vancouver Whitecaps FC loan defender Sam Adekugbe to Swedish Allsvenskan club IFK Göteborg through the end of 2017
Sam Adekugbe
Position: Left back
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165 pounds
Date of Birth: January 16, 1995 in London, England
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Citizenship: United Kingdom/Canada
Status: Domestic, Homegrown
Transaction: Loan through December 31, 2017 to IFK Göteborg on July 25, 2017
