VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Tuesday that wingback Luís Martins has agreed to a new contract through 2024, with a club option for 2025.
“We are pleased to reach a new agreement with Luís,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “Luís joined us in May and started to help the team but suffered a setback with an injury. When he returned, he showed his quality on both sides of the ball. Luís has a strong understanding of our system and will now benefit from having a preseason at our club.”
Whitecaps FC wingback Luís Martins
- Three assists in five starts, 13 appearances for VWFC in 2022
- 55 starts and 60 appearances for Sporting KC from 2019 to 2021
- 205 professional appearances at the club level playing in Portugal, Spain, the United States and Canada
Martins, 29, recorded three assists in his final four appearances for the ‘Caps in 2022, all of which came from starting at left wingback. In total, the native of Lamego, Portugal started five of his 13 appearances across all competitions for the club in 2022.
Prior to joining the ‘Caps in May earlier this year, Martins played three seasons with fellow Western Conference side Sporting Kansas City, recording a goal and seven assists in 55 starts and 60 appearances across all competitions.
Before making his way to MLS, Martins played for GD Chaves, Granada CF, CA Osasuna, CS Marítimo, Gil Vicente FC and started his career with SL Benfica.
Overall, Martins has recorded 205 professional appearances at the club level.
Internationally, Martins has featured for Portugal’s U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19, U-20 and U-21 teams from 2008 to 2015. He competed at the 2010 UEFA Under-19 Championship before helping his country to a second-place finish at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, starting three of his four appearances at the tournament. Martins also started four qualifying matches for the 2015 UEFA U-21 Championship.
TRANSACTION: On October 18, 2022, Whitecaps FC sign wingback Luís Martins to a new contract through 2024, with a club option 2025.
