Adelaide United wonderkid Giuseppe Bovalina joins Vancouver Whitecaps

The 19-year-old has left Australia for Canada for an undisclosed transfer fee. His new contract runs through 2026.  

One of the A-League’s brightest young prospects has left the league to join North America’s Major League Soccer.  Adelaide United have transferred right back Giuseppe Bovalina to MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps. The Canadian side have signed Bovalina to a contract through the 2026 season. 

Bovalina joins Vancouver Whitecaps 

Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps have signed right back Giuseppe Bovalina from Adelaide United. The 19-year-old was widely considered to be one of the best young players plying their trade in the A-League.  
 
“We are pleased to welcome Giuseppe to Vancouver,” said Axel Schuster, ““At 19, he has already been a consistent starter for his team, and we have tracked him as one of the top players in his position in the A-League. He brings qualities at both ends of the pitch and we are happy that we were able to convince him that we are the right club with our plan and pathway. We’re looking forward to helping him develop his qualities to the next level.” 
 
Bovalina made his debut for Adelaide United in August 2023 in an Australian Cup matchup against  Northcote City. He made his A-League debut just two months later in a 6-0 win over Melbourne City on October 29, 2023.  
 
Prior to his transfer this week, Bovalina had made 23 appearances for Adelaide United. He has yet to make an appearance for the Socceroos, but was called up to be a part of Tony Vidmar’s Under 23 Olyroos side.  

Adelaide United receive undisclosed fee 

Vancouver Whitecaps are best known around the world for being the club to develop world class, Bayern Munich left back Alphonso Davies. The Caps sold the Canadian international for US$13.5 million, a then-record fee in MLS, so they are no stranger to a big transfer fee. With that being said, Vancouver reportedly picked up Bovalina for peanuts. 
 
Officially, Adelaide United received an undisclosed fee for Giuseppe Bovalina. However, most reports claim the Reds received around $250,000 for the 19-year-old.  
 
Transfermarkt, a leading soccer transfer tracker and player evaluation website, says the Whitecaps paid $222,000 for Bovalina.  

Bovalina says goodbye to Adelaide United 

Bovalina had been a part of the Adelaide United organisation since he was a youth player.  
 
“Giuseppe has been a true professional during his time at Adelaide United,” said Adelaide United Head of Football, Marius Zanin, “His extreme dedication and hard work are fantastic examples to the other young players in our cohort. We look forward to watching him flourish in his footballing career and making Adelaide proud.” 
 
Bovalina said in a club statement that, “I am so grateful for the support the club has given me to this point. While I have worked extremely hard on and off the pitch, I would like to thank Carl, Airton, and the Adelaide United coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to flourish on the biggest stage of Australian football.” 
 
The young right-back also thanked the clubs who fostered his development as a youth player. “I would also like to thank Western Strikers, Croydon FC, and the coaches I have worked with in the Football SA NTC program,” Bovalina said.  

Vancouver Whitecaps’ next match is this Saturday against the New York Red Bulls. It’s probably too early for Bovalina to feature in that match, but the young right back is expected to play a big role in helping the Whitecaps win this year’s MLS Cup. Vancouver are currently second in the MLS Western Conference.