What a moment for Jeevan Badwal, who has signed a MLS soccer contract with his hometown Whitecaps FC.
Raised in Surrey, the 18-year-old midfielder started 16 of his 19 appearances with WFC2 this season, scoring two goals and adding three assists.
News of his contract was announced Friday (Sept. 13) by the Whitecaps, who signed Badwal as a "homegrown" player through 2027, with club options for 2028 and 2029. The team also inked Ottawa's Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau to a MLS contract through 2025.
Badwal, who joined the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy system at age 13, was the youngest player at Whitecaps FC preseason in Marbella, Spain earlier this year. He was picked for the 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game, and started all three matches for Canada at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
He's the 26th all-time academy player to sign an MLS contract with the club.
“Having joined our Academy in 2019, Jeevan continues to progress through our club and takes every challenge in stride,” Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director, said in a news release.
"He is comfortable on the ball, positionally sound, and does the simple things very well. We are excited for Jeevan to make the next step in his young career.”
Badwal signed his first pro contract with WFC2 in February, becoming the 12th Canadian teenager to be signed to a professional contract since the side began play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2022. Of note, Badwal has signed four MLS short-term agreements with the first team this season.
“I am very excited for this moment,” Badwal stated. “It means a lot to my family and I, especially after coming through the academy with the club I grew up with and I'm really excited to get started. I want to thank the fans for all their support, I can't wait to play in front of them and show my qualities on the pitch.”
Earlier in his soccer career, Badwal played for Coastal FC, Surrey FC, Supra Academy and B.E.S.T. Academy.
A lifelong Newton-area resident, Badwal went to Tamanawis Secondary for Grade 8 before transferring to Vancouver’s University Hill Secondary, where Whitecaps academy players are schooled.
