Cavalry Takes In WFC2 Youngster Gherasimencov On Loan

After Cavalry found plenty of success with a Whitecaps FC 2 loanee last year, the Canadian Premier League club is taking in another Whitecaps in prospect for 2025.

The reigning CPL champions have confirmed the arrival of 19-year-old defender Mihail Gherasimencov on loan from Whitecaps FC 2 for the 2025 CPL season. Amazingly, he becomes the seventh domestic U-21 player to join Cavalry’s 23-man first team roster on a pro first deal for their title defense season.

While born in Moldova, Gherasimencov grew up in Calgary, Alberta and featured for the Calgary Blizzard SC before joining the Whitecaps FC Academy ranks five years ago. After his development impressed club brass, he progressed to the MLS Next Pro with the Whitecaps FC 2 two years later, carving out four goals and 49 appearances in the time since.

The newest Cavalry addition has also represented his birthplace Moldova some five times at the U-19 level, getting on the scoresheet against Kazakhstan in 2023.

“Mihail is a dynamic attacking left-back that brings quality in delivery and depth to our left side options,” says Cavalry boss Tommy Wheeldon Jr, who has built a strong reputation in identifying and developing strong domestic talent. “He has very good game intelligence and excels in one-on-one duels.”

Cavalry has amassed quite an arsenal of domestic U-21 talent on its first team roster, most of which already have years of pro football behind them: Mael Henry, Jay Herdman, Joseph Holliday, Michael Harms, Niko Myroniuk, and Chanan Chanda are no strangers to Canada’s top flight despite their young age.

“I spent time growing up here in Calgary, so this means a lot to me,” reflects Gherasimencov, who arrives to ATCO Field with a reputation as a fast, attack-minded full-back. “I was a ball boy at a Cavalry match in 2019, so to now be joining this club as a player at the highest level six years later means everything.” 

As the only loanee of the bunch, Gherasimencov can contribute a maximum of 1,000 U-21 minutes to Cavalry’s required allotment for the 2025 CPL season – though we don’t imagine they’ll have a tough time reaching it.

The reigning CPL champions have already played competitive action in the Champions Cup this spring, with their domestic title defense set to kick off on April 5 against Forge FC at Hamilton Stadium. The club’s own home opener will come on April 18 when they host Vancouver FC at ATCO Field.

Header Image Photo Credit: Cavalry FC