Grady_McDonnell
Grady McDonnell
Canadian soccer player
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.
| 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 | |||
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]
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]
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]
- "Vancouver FC Signs Local Teen Grady McDonnell to Three-Year Deal". Our Sports Central. January 17, 2024.
- Davidson, Neil (April 12, 2024). "Midfielder Grady McDonnell the latest teenager to join Vancouver FC". The Globe & Mail.
- 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.
- Jacques, John (January 17, 2024). "Vancouver FC Signs 15-Year-Old Grady McDonnell To Pro Deal". Northern Tribune.
- Adams, J.J. (January 17, 2024). "How Vancouver FC is leading the charge in Canadian youth development". The Province.
- Hewitt, Thomas (January 17, 2024). "Vancouver FC break their own Canadian Premier League record by signing 15-year-old Grady McDonnell". Canadian Soccer Daily.
- 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.
- Jacques, John (January 19, 2024). "Eagles Youngster McDonnell Set For Ireland U-16 Duty". Northern Tribune.
- Jacques, John (August 12, 2023). "Five Canada U-15 Players To Watch". Northern Tribune.
- "McDonnell helps Ireland win Victory Shield". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. November 12, 2023.
- Grady McDonnell at Soccerway
- Grady McDonnell at the Canadian Soccer Association