Grady McDonnell

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Grady McDonnell
Personal information
Date of birth (2008-02-17) February 17, 2008 (age 16)
Place of birth Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Vancouver FC
Number 27
Youth career
Coastal FC
Supra Academy
2022–2023 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Vancouver FC 1 (0)
International career‡
2022–2023 Republic of Ireland U15 11 (0)
2023 Canada U15 4 (2)
2023– Republic of Ireland U16 2 (1)
2023– Republic of Ireland U17 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of May 3, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of March 19, 2024

Grady McDonnell (born February 17, 2008) is a soccer player who plays for Vancouver FC in the Canadian Premier League. McDonnell is the youngest player to ever sign a professional contract in the Canadian Premier League.

Early life[edit]

McDonnell began playing youth soccer at age six with Coastal FC.[1] Afterwards, he played with the Supra Academy, until age 13.[2] He spent some time with the Whitecaps FC Pre-Academy, before officially joining the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy in August 2022.[3] He had training stints with Blackburn Rovers in England, Schalke in Germany, and Shamrock Rovers FC in Ireland.[4]

Club career[edit]

In January 2024, he signed a professional contract with Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League through the 2026 season.[5][6] He became the youngest player in league history to sign a contract at 15 years and 11 months.[7][8] He made his debut, at age 16, on May 3 against Cavalry FC.[9]

International career[edit]

McDonnell is eligible to represent Canada, where he was born, and Ireland, where his grandfather was from.[10][11]

In September 2022, McDonnell was called up to a camp with the Ireland U15 team for the first time, and then was subsequently called up to the squad the next month for the UEFA Development Tournament.[12] While with the Ireland U15, he served as team captain.[13]

In August 2023, he was called up to the Canada U15 team for the 2023 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship.[14] He scored two goals in a victory over the Dominican Republic.[15]

In October 2023, he was called up to the Republic of Ireland U17 team for 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification matches.[16] In November 2023, he played with the Republic of Ireland U16 team, helping them win the Victory Shield, a friendly tournament involving the U16 teams of Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales.[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Grady McDonnell at the Canadian Soccer Association
  2. ^ "Vancouver FC Signs Local Teen Grady McDonnell to Three-Year Deal". Our Sports Central. January 17, 2024.
  3. ^ "Grade McDonnell Whitecaps profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  4. ^ Davidson, Neil (April 12, 2024). "Midfielder Grady McDonnell the latest teenager to join Vancouver FC". The Globe & Mail.
  5. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (January 17, 2024). "'He's got the ambition': Vancouver FC sign 15-year-old 'top talent' Grady McDonnell". Canadian Premier League.
  6. ^ Jacques, John (January 17, 2024). "Vancouver FC Signs 15-Year-Old Grady McDonnell To Pro Deal". Northern Tribune.
  7. ^ Adams, J.J. (January 17, 2024). "How Vancouver FC is leading the charge in Canadian youth development". The Province.
  8. ^ Hewitt, Thomas (January 17, 2024). "Vancouver FC break their own Canadian Premier League record by signing 15-year-old Grady McDonnell". Canadian Soccer Daily.
  9. ^ Gangué-Ruzic, Alexandre (May 4, 2024). "Match Analysis: Cavalry's offence shines as they beat Vancouver FC 3-1 for 1st victory of 2024 CPL season". Canadian Premier League.
  10. ^ Jacques, John (January 19, 2024). "Eagles Youngster McDonnell Set For Ireland U-16 Duty". Northern Tribune.
  11. ^ "Vancouver FC's Grady McDonnell to represent Republic of Ireland Men's U-17 Squad". Vancouver FC. February 12, 2024.
  12. ^ "Grady McDonnell called up to Republic of Ireland U-15 national team". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. October 10, 2022.
  13. ^ Jacques, John (August 12, 2023). "Five Canada U-15 Players To Watch". Northern Tribune.
  14. ^ "Three Whitecaps FC BMO Academy players named to Canada for Concacaf U-15 Championship". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. August 3, 2023.
  15. ^ "The week that was: Midfield bombs and magic tricks". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. August 8, 2023.
  16. ^ "McDonnell called up to Republic of Ireland U-17s for UEFA qualifiers". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. October 2, 2023.
  17. ^ "McDonnell helps Ireland win Victory Shield". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. November 12, 2023.

External links[edit]

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