Maxime Crépeau traded to LAFC - Vancouver Whitecaps receive record fee

This article originally appeared on Jan. 20, 2021 and has been updated with new information. 

Maxime Crépeau has been traded from the Vancouver Whitecaps to Los Angeles FC. Transfermarkt can confirm reports by MLSSoccer.com writer Tom Bogert and Washington Post journalist Steve Goff that the Canadian men's national team goalkeeper is headed to Southern California. The Whitecaps will receive $1 million in General Allocation Money (GAM) a sell-on clause, and a 2025 first-round draft pick. 

“Max came to us with a very personal request,” Vancouver Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said in a club statement. “Although he has been an important player, of course, we made the decision to support Max as best we could, as long as his value was acknowledged in the deal. We have managed to finalize the largest trade in league history for a goalkeeper, and one of the biggest overall. We would like to thank Max for his three years here. He has put his heart and soul into the team and he has the respect of everyone at the club."

Crépeau is now the most expensive goalkeeper to be traded within MLS. The record was previously held by Tyler Miller, who joined Minnesota United in a trade from LAFC for $200,000 GAM (overview). Including all MLS goalkeeper transfers, not just within MLS, Crépeau will be among the top 10 most expensive goalkeepers in league history (overview). Finally, Crépeau will also be among the ten most expensive signings in LAFC history. 

Crépeau to LAFC - Whitecaps with significant profit

For the Whitecaps, in the meantime, losing Crépeau is a major setback. The 27-year-old was signed for just $50,000 from Montréal in 2018 and has since steadily increased his market value to $2.2 million becoming one of the best goalkeepers in MLS and a strong backup to Canada's number one Milan Borjan. Although he will be missed on the pitch, Crépeau has earned the Whitecaps a significant transfer profit.