Julian Gressel (28) has moved within MLS for the second time. The German professional will play for the Vancouver Whitecaps in future – and will therefore miss a game against FC Bayern.
The Canadian MLS club announced the signing of Gressel on Friday. Vancouver will pay Washington DC United $900,000 for the winger’s services, where the 28-year-old had been under contract since January 2020.
The move from the capital club is also likely to be linked to the personnel of Wayne Rooney, who takes over the capital club for the new season. “Under our new head coach, we will adjust our tactical shape,” DC president Dave Kasper is quoted as saying. “We are looking to have players who can fit into the new system and execute Wayne’s vision on the field. (…) The level of Vancouver’s offer gives us flexibility to align our squad with the changes Wayne wants to implement. “
Not the only German in Vancouver
With the Whitecaps, Gressel will now meet his compatriot, former Bundesliga pro Florian Jungwirth. Sporting director Axel Schuster is also from Germany. Schuster, who played for Schalke 04 and Mainz 05 before joining Vancouver, had Gressel “on his radar for a long time. (…) For more than five years he has shown that he is one of the best players in MLS”.
For Gressel, however, the transfer also means that he will not be able to play against FC Bayern. As part of its trip to the USA, the German record champions will face DC United on Wednesday night – without Gressel.
