The Whitecaps Interest In Lowell Wright Is Real

This afternoon saw rumours about York United striker Lowell Wright nearing a potential transfer to the Vancouver Whitecaps take flight online, with Joshua Kloke soon giving them further credibility.

Northern Tribune has now confirmed, too, that the interest in the MLS side for the 18-year-old is indeed real, with positive talks having already taken place.

The Brampton-born forward may be just 18 years of age, but Wright’s potential move to Major League Soccer heights comes in his third season of professional football. Announced as York United’s youngest-ever player almost exactly two years ago, the physical forward has produced nine goals and five assists during his 44 appearances with the Nine Stripes so far.

Wright’s rising stock saw him named to the Canada U-20 squad for the Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship held in Costa Rica this year, with the young striker appearing appearing in all four games, scoring twice.

Wright’s current deal with York United runs through to 2024, which means any potential move to MLS heights would net York United a transfer fee.

It’s unclear whether Wright would get an immediate chance with the first team or, like former Eddies star Easton Ongaro, dip his toes in the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side first.

This season has already seen York United sell star left-back Diayeddine Abzi to French Ligue 2 Pau FC, with a young-leaning Nine Stripes side now evidently bearing the fruit of their labour in terms of youth development. In 2020, the club also sold midfielder Emilio Estevez-Tsai to Dutch top flight side ADO Den Haag.

Last season saw Canadian Premier League defenders Kadin Chung and Lukas MacNaughton make similar jumps upwards to Toronto FC, with Mo Farsi recently signing with the Columbus Crew after an MLS NEXT Pro stopgap this year.

While neither club has released any official comment on Wright’s potential transfer, it looks like things are – at least for now – progressing nicely behind the scenes.