Sam Adekugbe: What can the CanMNT star add to the Vancouver Whitecaps?

©IMAGO

The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed two Canadian men’s national team players on Major League Soccer deadline day. While Richie Laryea was signed on loan from Nottingham Forest earlier on August 2, the Whitecaps also managed to get a deal for Sam Adekugbe from Turkish Süper Lig side Hatayspor across the line. The Canadian has signed a contract until 2026 with a club option for 2027 and Transfermarkt understands that the Whitecaps have paid €1 million to sign the left-back.

Market Value

S. Adekugbe Left-Back

€1.50m

One source with direct information about the ongoing negotiations explained that it was a long drawn-out process to get the deal across the line. One source explained to Transfermarkt that Hatayspor head coach Volkan Demirel really wanted to keep the player. Then with just hours to go ahead of the window closing on August 2, both clubs found a solution.

Adekugbe played his part in making this deal happen, as he wanted to leave Turkey and return to Canada. Although born in the British capital London, Adekugbe is a Whitecaps product playing a total of 16 MLS games for the club between 2014 and 2016 before heading to Europe, where he played for Brighton, Göteborg, Vålerenga, Hatayspor and then last season on loan at Galatasaray. At Gala he was part of the squad that won the Turkish title last season. 

Sam Adekugbe: How will the CanMNT star fit in at the Whitecaps

Adding Adekugbe would be a significant get for Whitecaps boss Axel Schuster. A natural left-back with significant pace, the 28-year-old would be a great compliment to the already signed Laryea, who fulfills the same role on the right. The two players, in fact, would allow head coach Vanni Sartini to perfect his preferred system with three defenders in the back flanked by wingbacks. 

Stats

S. Adekugbe Left-Back

Career stats–
All competitions

Games

228

Goals

2

Assists

12

Although Adekugbe only had one assist across 24 Süper Lig games, Opta stats highlight that the Canadian has had a significant impact in Turkey last season. Playing for both Hatayspor and Galatasaray, Adekugbe was 12th among left-backs with 90 duels won, was 10th with 25 interception, 11th with 920 successful passes and seventh with 17 successful crosses from open play. In fact, many of Adekugbe’s stats would have been better had it not been for the second half of his loan spell at Gala where he struggled to break into the first team. Either way, those numbers underline that signing the Canadian would be a huge boost for the Whitecaps, especially as the club has already secured Laryea earlier on deadline day.