Julian Gressel: Columbus Crew receive impact player from Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps have traded Julian Gressel to the Columbus Crew. The Whitecaps will receive a total of $850,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) for the US men’s national team player. Vancouver will receive $275,000 in 2023 GAM, $275,000 in 2024 GAM, and could also receive an additional $300,000 in conditional GAM spanning 2024-2026.
Transfermarkt understands that it was not an easy decision to trade Gressel. The 29-year-old has scored seven goals and nine assists in 38 games since joining the Whitecaps in a trade from D.C. United last season—a trade that Gressel learned of through the report of a local beat writer. But Gressel was going to be out of contract at the end of the season, and with the summer window closing, the Whitecaps were pushing for a contract extension. “Although Julian and his family enjoyed their time here, ultimately, they decided that in the long term, they wanted to be closer to family and friends," Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said in a club statement. "For that reason, we were unable to come to an agreement on an extension."
Financially, the Whitecaps went to the max, and sources have explained to TM that their deal was more lucrative than what the Crew are expected to offer. But a newly minted US men’s national team with family roots closer located to the East Coast, Gressel wanted to leave Vancouver for personal reasons. When that became clear, the Whitecaps worked with the player to find an ideal solution, and sources have stressed to TM that the Whitecaps have done an outstanding job in this regard.
Julian Gressel: Columbus Crew receive an impact player
Although the Whitecaps have done well with the player, ultimately replacing Gressel will be difficult for the club. Although his market value has recently decreased to €2.5m, the native of Neustadt an der Aisch is still one of the most impactful players in the league. This season Gressel is second in assists (five) at the Whitecaps behind Ryan Gauld (six) and fifth in goalscoring (three).
Those numbers will be difficult to replace for a Vancouver side currently fighting for a spot in the Western Conference playoffs. With that in mind, the return and what Axel Schuster will do with it will be crucial. As for Columbus, the Crew are getting one of the most consistently productive players in MLS history whose exploits have not only helped Atlanta United to win an MLS Cup but also have made Gressel a US men’s national team player.
- Date of birth/Age:
- Dec 16, 1993 (30)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Inter Miami CF
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2026
- Position:
- Right Midfield
- Market Value:
- €3.00m
- Total Market Value:
- €36.95m
- Competition:
- Major League Soccer
- Manager:
- Vanni Sartini
- Squad size:
- 25
- Latest Transfer:
- Giuseppe Bovalina
- Total Market Value:
- €47.35m
- Competition:
- Major League Soccer
- Manager:
- Wilfried Nancy
- Squad size:
- 23
- Latest Transfer:
- Cole Mrowka