VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Monday that the club has signed forward David Egbo, their first selection (ninth overall) of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft. The product of the University of Akron has agreed to a Major League Soccer contract with club options through 2024, and will officially join the roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate, medical, work permit and visa.
"David has a very good profile. We like his work rate and qualities that can complement our current group of attackers," said Marc Dos Santos, Whitecaps FC head coach. "This will be his first experience at this level and we will provide him the opportunity to grow and develop. We are very pleased to add David to our team and look forward to welcoming him to Vancouver in the coming weeks."
Whitecaps FC forward David Egbo
- 21 goals and 13 assists in 35 starts and 56 appearances in three seasons at Akron
- Led conference in goals and shots per game, and placing second in assists per game in 2019
- All-MAC First Team in 2018 & 2019, USC All-America Third Team in 2018
- Helped the Zips to MAC Tournament title and College Cup runner-up finish in 2018
"I am very excited to sign my first professional contract with Vancouver Whitecaps FC," added Egbo. "I can't wait to start playing and winning with my new teammates."
Egbo, 22, played three seasons at Akron, collecting 21 goals and 13 assists in 35 starts and 56 appearances from 2017 to 2019. In his last season with the Zips, Egbo led the Mid-American Conference with per-game averages of 0.75 goals and 4.00 shots, and placed second with 0.75 assists while wearing the captain’s armband as a junior.
In the previous year, Egbo’s 13 total goals led the MAC, while also landing in the top 10 with five assists. That season, he helped Akron to the MAC Tournament title and a runner-up finish in the 2018 College Cup. The Nigerian-born striker was recognized with a United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team selection in 2018, as well as All-MAC First Team honours in his last two seasons.
Egbo also featured for Black Rock FC in USL League Two in 2018, recording a goal and an assist in seven appearances.
Whitecaps FC currently have 28 players under contract for the 2021 MLS season including 16 players 23-years-old or younger.
TRANSACTION: On February 1, 2021, Vancouver Whitecaps FC sign forward David Egbo to a Major League Soccer contract with club options through 2024. Egbo will officially join the roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate, medical, work permit and visa.
David Egbo
Position: Forward
Height: 6-01
Weight: 185 pounds
Date of Birth: October 31, 1998 in Kaduna, Nigeria
Hometown: Enugu, Nigeria
Citizenship: Nigeria
Status: International
University: University of Akron (NCAA Mid-American Conference ’17 to ’19)
High School: The Kiski School (Saltsburg, PA)
Youth Clubs: The International Sports Academy (Lagos, Nigeria), Century Soccer (Pittsburgh, PA)
Acquired: Selected by Vancouver Whitecaps FC ninth overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft on January 21, signed on February 1, 2021
