VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that the club has signed centre back Buster Sjöberg, midfielder Eliot Goldthorp, and forward Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau to Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) contracts.
WFC2 kick off their 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season on the road at North Texas SC on Friday, March 15. They then play their first two home matches at BC Place, prior to the MLS matches, on Saturday, March 23 versus Real Monarchs and on Saturday, March 30 versus Timbers2.
“Buster, Eliot, and Nicolas were with our first team during preseason and each showed that they have potential to continue in their development,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “There is a clear path for all of our players, with previous SuperDraft picks such Simon Becher, Levonte Johnson, and J.C. Ngando gaining valuable experience in MLS NEXT Pro. We look forward to helping them progress to the next step.”
Buster Sjöberg
- 71st overall selection in 2023 MLS SuperDraft
- Made 48 starts and 55 appearances across two seasons with Syracuse University
- 2022 Academic All-District Team, 2021 All-ACC Academic Team
- Helped Syracuse win the NCAA Division I National Championship
- Spent two seasons at Wofford College, started all 26 appearances
Sjöberg, 24, joins Whitecaps FC after being selected 71st overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. Returning from an injury, the Swedish centre back had a comeback final season, starting 14 of his 19 appearances with Syracuse University in 2023, scoring two goals and adding one assist. In total during his time with the Orange, he made 48 starts in 55 appearances and helped the program win the 2022 NCAA Division I National Championship alongside Whitecaps FC forward Levonte Johnson.
Eliot Goldthorp
- Two seasons at Hofstra University, recording 25 goals and 21 assists in 42 starts and 43 appearances
- 2023 Coastal Athletic Association Player of the Year
- Led the NCAA with 15 assists in 2023
- Nine goals and two assists in 12 USL League Two appearances with Des Moines Menace
- Played in the academies of Manchester United and his hometown Leeds United in his youth before playing first team football at Bradford City
Goldthorp, 22, was selected 45th overall in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. The native of Leeds, England played the past two seasons at Hofstra University, scoring 25 goals and adding 21 assists in 42 starts and 43 appearances. This past season he led the NCAA with 15 assists, became the first United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American in program history, and was named the Coastal Athletic Association Player of the Year. In 2022, he was a Second Team All-American, First Team All-Colonial Athletic Association, and the CAA Championship Most Outstanding Player.
Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau
- Three seasons at St. John's University
- Led the Red Storm with 14 goals in 2023, adding one assist
- Named to the 2023 All-Big East First Team
- Played at West Ottawa Soccer Club and Capital United in his youth
Fleuriau Chateau, 21, was picked in the third round with the 74th overall selection from St. John’s University. The product of Ottawa, Ontario was named to the All-Big East First Team in 2023 after leading the team with 14 goals and adding one assist in 17 appearances. It was also a comeback season for the Canadian, who tore his ACL in 2022. Prior to his injury, he appeared in 13 matches during his sophomore season, helping the Red Storm to an 11-6-3 record, a third place finish in the BIG EAST, and a berth in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Buster Sjöberg
Pronunciation: shoe-berg
Position: Centre back
Height: 6-04
Weight: 190 pounds
Date of Birth: April 4, 1999 in Uppsala, Sweden
Hometown: Uppsala, Sweden
Citizenship: Sweden
Status: International
University: Syracuse University (2021-22), Wofford College (2019-21)
Youth Clubs: IK Sirius, Gamla Upsala SK
Eliot Goldthorp
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-00
Weight: 170 pounds
Date of Birth: November 3, 2001 in Leeds, England
Hometown: Leeds, England
Citizenship: England
Status: International
University: Hofstra University (2022-23), Old Dominion University (2021)
Former Clubs: Bradford City, Mossley, Radcliffe, Matlock Town, Farsley Celtic, Frickley Athletic, Des Moines Menace
Youth Clubs: Manchester United, Leeds United, Bradford City
Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau
Position: Striker
Height: 5-10
Weight: 180 pounds
Date of Birth: May 21, 2002 in Ottawa, Ontario
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Citizenship: Canada
Status: Domestic
University: St. John’s University (2021-23)
Youth Clubs: West Ottawa Soccer Club, Capital United
