VANCOUVER — Brian White has been keeping a secret.
It's been months since the Vancouver Whitecaps striker and his agent agreed in principle to a three-year extension with the club.
On Wednesday, the business was publicly announced — White has signed a new contract that will keep him with the 'Caps through 2027.
“It means a lot," he said of his new deal. "(The Whitecaps) brought me in and the support I’ve felt through the club, the coaching staff, the fans, the players, it means a lot to be here for three more years. And hopefully we can continue to have great success.”
Financial details of the extension were not released, but White made US$754,500 in 2024.
The 29-year-old forward from Flemington, N.J., tallied 16 goals and three assists across all competitions last season — and hit some major milestones in the process.
He became the franchise's all-time leading scorer in the Major League Soccer era with 55 goals across all competitions and became the first Whitecaps player to record back-to-back 15-goal seasons in league play.
Vancouver acquired the five-foot-11, 185-pound Duke University alum from the New York Red Bulls via a trade back in June 2021.
White has since scored 48 goals in MLS action, making him the top North American goal scorer during that period.
He has also earned two caps with the United States men’s national team, making his debut as a starter in a friendly against Slovenia in January 2024. He scored his first international goal last month in a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica.
“Brian is a perfect example that you don’t have to have a 'designated player' tag to be a (designated) player. Because he is competing with a lot of forwards that are DPs and he is putting up the same numbers," said Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster.
"So we are really happy that he became a real Vancouver boy now. The guy from the East Coast really found his home here and wants to commit and stay here for a long time.”
White isn't quite ready to brand himself a "Vancouver boy" but said the city has become his second home.
“Still think I’m kind of an East Coast guy, big Jersey guy," he said with a smile. "But me and my girlfriend have loved our life out here since we've been here.
"It's been a special three and a half years so far. And I’m looking forward to another three.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2025.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
