TRISTAN BLACKMON SIGNS NEW CONTRACT WITH VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
Tristan Blackmon, a center-back, has signed a contract extension with the Vancouver Whitecaps that runs until the 2027 season.
After three years with LAFC, where he won the 2019 Supporters’ Shield and managed two goals and six assists in 79 games, Blackmon first joined the Canadian team in a trade with Charlotte FC in the 2022 expansion draft.
With four goals in 71 games for the Whitecaps, the former Phoenix Rising player has established himself as a mainstay in head coach Vanni Sartini’s starting lineup. In addition, the 27-year-old has expanded his collection of trophies by winning the Canadian Championship in 2022 and 2023.
Axel Schuster, the sporting director of the Whitecaps, stated in a statement, “We knew the quality and type of player Tristan was on the pitch when we acquired him two seasons ago.”
Since then, we have come to understand the unique individual he is off the field. Knowing that Tristan will stay a member of our club for many years to come makes us very happy.”
The Whitecaps have a strong center-back group that includes Blackmon, Ranko Veselinovic, Mathias Laborda, and Karifa Yao.
Bjorn Inge Utvik, a former youth international for Norway, has signed with Vancouver on a contract that runs through the 2026 season. Utvik is a member of Sarpsborg 08. In 136 games for Sarpsborg, Utvik recorded eight goals and six assists in the top level of Norway’s defense.
“We are excited to welcome Bjorn and his family to the club and city,” Schuster stated.
“Bjorn is a very experienced and capable leader in our group. He not only wins a lot of duels overall but also displays aggression in the air and comfort when in possession of the ball.”
The Whitecaps, who lost to LAFC in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, will kick out their 2024 campaign on February 7 against Liga MX powerhouse Tigres in the Concacaf Champions Cup elimination phase.
The Western Conference side open the MLS campaign on March 2 vs Charlotte FC at BC Place, with Sartini not in the dugout as he’s set to begin his six-game suspension for his actions during Vancouver’s postseason exit to LAFC.
