Whitecaps re-sign all-star goalkeeper Takaoka, trade Nelson to Austin FC

By Canadian Press on December 18, 2025.

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed Major League Soccer goalkeeper of the year finalist Yohei Takaoka to a new contract through June 2027, the club announced Thursday.

The Japanese ‘keeper had a club-record 16 clean sheets across all competitions in 46 starts as the Whitecaps advanced to the 2025 MLS Cup final.

His 18 MLS regular-season wins were tied for first in the league, and he had the second-fewest goals conceded at 38.

He became the first Japanese-born player to be named an MLS All-Star and was third in goalkeeper of the year voting. The award was won by Canadian ‘keeper Dayne St. Clair of Minnesota United.

Takaoka, 29, has made 129 starts across all competitions since joining Whitecaps FC in 2023 via transfer from Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos.

Across his career, Takaoka has posted 90 clean sheets in 312 appearances.

“We are pleased to have reached a new agreement with Yohei,” Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said in a release.

“Since joining us in 2023, Yohei has become a key figure within our club, consistently demonstrating why he is regarded as one of the league’s top players in his position. Beyond his performances on the pitch, he is a consummate professional with outstanding character, and we are thrilled to welcome him back.”

Also Thursday, the Whitecaps sent Canadian international winger Jayden Nelson to Austin FC in exchange for US$1.25 million (all figures in U.S. dollars) in general allocation money and its first-round pick in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft.

Vancouver will get $700,000 in 2026 general allocation money and $550,000 in 2027.

Vancouver had the 29th overall pick in the draft.

The Whitecaps may also retain a percentage of a future trade or transfer fee if Nelson is traded or sold above a certain monetary amount.

Nelson, 23, spent last season with Vancouver. He came up through the Toronto CF academy, moving to Norwegian side Rosenborg in February 2023 after three seasons with the Toronto first team.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 18, 2025.

The Canadian Press