Levonte Johnson breaks via to Whitecaps first staff

Levonte Johnson signed a first-team contract on Friday, following within the footsteps of Ali Ahmed and Simon Becher.

Article content material

The Vancouver Whitecaps simply couldn’t hold Levonte Johnson out of the roster.

Commercial 2

Article content material

Referred to as up 4 instances from the membership’s MLS Subsequent Professional staff, he signed a first-team contract on Friday, following within the footsteps of Ali Ahmed and Simon Becher.

Article content material

His contract runs via the rest of 2023, with membership choices for 2024 and 2025.

The 24-year-old Brampton, Ont., native was the twenty ninth choose within the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, and was main the staff in scoring with six targets and an help, and was prime three in MLS Subsequent Professional in xG and xG/shot.

Article content material

Commercial 3

Article content material

“In February, we mentioned with Levonte our plan for him and we provided a person improvement program to assist make him prepared for MLS. Levonte has completely purchased into it, has proven constant development, and is now able to make the following step in his profession,” Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster stated in a launch.

“He has been some of the thrilling gamers in MLS Subsequent Professional this season and has put in priceless performances when enjoying with the primary staff, together with serving to us win the Canadian Championship for the second consecutive season. Levonte’s profile offers us with another choice in assault, whereas giving us the chance to proceed to assist him develop. We’re glad to formally welcome Levonte to the primary staff.”

Commercial 4

Article content material

Johnson scored in his first-team debut in opposition to York United within the Canadian Championship in Might, and was known as up three extra instances — to the max of 4 — by the Whitecaps.

Commercial 5

Article content material

“I’m simply staying targeted,” he stated. “I do know quite a lot of guys that get drafted, their important objective is to get signed with the primary staff however sadly, it doesn’t occur quite a lot of the time. So I sort of wasn’t anticipating it however I used to be as ready for it. I used to be targeted, by no means let my head get down or simply get discouraged. I simply put my head down and labored.

“It feels wonderful. It feels good that the membership has confidence in me to carry me as much as the primary staff. It’s simply been an extended journey, and I’m grateful for (the following chapter) to begin right here.”

[email protected]


Assist our journalism: Our in-depth journalism is feasible due to the assist of our subscribers. For simply $3.50 per week, you may get limitless, ad-lite entry to The Vancouver Solar, The Province, Nationwide Publish and 13 different Canadian information websites. Assist us by subscribing right this moment: The Vancouver Solar | The Province.

Try our sports activities part for the most recent information and evaluation. Look after a wager? Head to our sports activities betting part for information and odds.

Article content material

Feedback

Postmedia is dedicated to sustaining a vigorous however civil discussion board for dialogue and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Feedback could take as much as an hour for moderation earlier than showing on the positioning. We ask you to maintain your feedback related and respectful. We’ve got enabled e-mail notifications—you’ll now obtain an e-mail for those who obtain a reply to your remark, there’s an replace to a remark thread you observe or if a consumer you observe feedback. Go to our Group Pointers for extra data and particulars on methods to regulate your e-mail settings.

Be part of the Dialog

Commercial 1