After Impressing In CPL, Whitecaps Ink Gherasimencov On Homegrown Contract

Mihail Gherasimencov put on quite a show on loan with Cavalry FC this season, and the full-back is now being rewarded with a homegrown player contract with Major League Soccer finalist Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Moldovan international made thirty appearances for Canadian top flight side Cavalry this season, tallying two goals and four assists en route to an iconic snow-drenched CPL Final appearance. The fullback’s form saw him ride an international wave of attention too, with the Cavalry loanee making three appearances for the Moldova senior team.

Not bad for a 20-year-old, eh?

Gherasimencov has now put pen to paper on a homegrown player contract that will run through to the 2027-2028 season with a club option for a further year.

“Since joining our program, Mihail has progressed through every level, from our academy to our second team, and most recently on loan with Cavalry last season,” says Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster, who is in the midst of ensuring the ‘Caps will still be in Vancouver for the foreseeable future. “We’re excited to see Mihail take this next step and look forward to supporting his continued growth in our first-team environment.”

Gherasimencov has been a longstanding member of the Whitecaps development pipeline, previously spending three campaigns with the Whitecaps FC 2. He made nearly fifty appearances for the MLS Next Pro side after being promoted from the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy in 2020, taking part in the inaugural MLS Next All-Star Game in 2022 and participating in the first team’s preseason camp a year later.

The former Canadian Premier League loanee makes history as the eleventh player to land a first team contract after spending time in MLS Next Pro. His loan to Cavalry this year was a return home of sorts for him, with the Balti, Moldova-born midfielder having immigrated to Calgary about ten years ago.

The current Cavalry roster has just eleven players guaranteed to return for the 2026 CPL season, with the club holding options on some talent. However, players like Fraser Aird, Shamit Shome, and Ali Musse – amongst others – are on expiring contracts, with club captain Marco Carducci already announcing his exit.

While it’s possible Gherasimencov could be loaned back to the CPL this year, what’s ultimately next for the full-back remains to be seen.

Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques