Alessandro Schöpf joins Vancouver Whitecaps - "Has an incredible engine"

This article first appeared on July 28 and was updated with new information. 

The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed free agent Alessandro Schöpf. The 32-times Austrian national team player (six goals) completed his medical earlier this week and has signed a contract until 2024 with a club option for 2025. Schöpf became a free agent after Arminia Bielefeld were relegated from the Bundesliga last season.

“Alessandro is a player we’ve been looking at for a while,” Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said in a club statement. “He’s an all-around midfielder with an incredible engine, covers a lot of ground, and is good in combination play. He also has plenty of experience playing in some of the top competitions in world football. We’re happy to welcome Alessandro and his family to Vancouver as they begin this next chapter.”

A former Bayern Munich academy product, the Austrian scored one goal and three assists in 33 Bundesliga games last season. Prior to Arminia, Schöpf played 142 games for Schalke (16 goals and ten assists) but left Die Knappen after they were relegated at the end of the 2021/22 campaign. At Schalke, Schöpf also crossed paths with current Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster.  

Schöpf to the Whitecaps - Caio Alexandre to depart?

The 28-year-old is a central midfielder and can also play in an advanced role. Schöpf would be an ideal replacement for midfielder Caio Alexandre—the Brazilian has struggled with fitness issues throughout his entire time on the West Coast.