Transfer Tracker

Vancouver Whitecaps sign Damir Kreilach after RSL exit

Damir Kreilach - RSL to Vancouver - transfer

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing

Damir Kreilach is sticking in the Western Conference, as Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced Friday they have signed the former Real Salt Lake captain.

Kreilach, whoā€™s under contract through the 2025 MLS campaign, formally departed RSL on Wednesday after a new deal wasnā€™t struck.

"We are very pleased to welcome Damir and his family to our club and city," Vancouver sporting director Axel Schuster said in a release. "Everybody in MLS knows what Damir brings to the table. He is an experienced player, a competitor, and a leader."

An attacking midfielder who can also play as a second forward, Kreilach has 47 goals and 24 assists in 151 career regular-season matches. The Croatia native was RSLā€™s captain from 2022-23, having originally joined them in 2018 from German side Union Berlin.

At Vancouver, Kreilach joins an attack thatā€™s spearheaded by Ryan Gauld and Brian White. The ā€˜Caps scored 55 goals last season (top third league-wide) and were the Westā€™s No. 6 seed, eventually falling to LAFC in Round One of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.

"I'm very happy and excited to take on this new challenge and be a part of Vancouver Whitecaps FC," said Kreilach.

"There is a lot of work ahead and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity. I'm looking forward to meeting my new teammates, coaches, staff and all the supporters. I can't wait to get started!"

As back-to-back Canadian Championship winners, Vancouver begin their 2024 slate on Feb. 7 with a Concacaf Champions Cup two-leg series against Liga MX powerhouse Tigres UANL. Their MLS slate begins March 2 vs. Charlotte FC (MLS Season Pass).