Eric Lajeunesse

Eric Lajeunesse

Personal information
Full name	Eric James Lajeunesse
Date of birth	(2003-03-10) March 10, 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Pacific FC
Youth career
2011–2021	Ottawa St. Anthony Futuro Academy
2021–2022	Vancouver Whitecaps FC
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–	UBC Thunderbirds	40	(2)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022	Whitecaps FC Academy	12	(0)
2023–	Pacific FC	6	(0)
2023	→ Nautsa’mawt FC (loan)	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of April 12, 2024

Eric James Lajeunesse (born March 10, 2003) is a Canadian soccer player who plays for Pacific FC in the Canadian Premier League.

Early life

From 2011 to 2021, he played with the Ottawa St. Anthony Futuro Academy. ^[1] In 2019, he had a five-week trial with English club Plymouth Argyle's U18 team. ^[2] In September 2021, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps academy. ^[2]

University career

In 2022, Lajeunesse began attending the University of British Columbia, where he played for the men's soccer team. ^[3] While at UBC, he pursued a biology degree. ^[4] On September 25, 2022, he scored his first goal in a 4-0 victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies. ^[5] In his rookie season, he was named the Canada West Rookie of the Year and the U Sports Rookie of the Year. ^[6] In 2023, he was named to both the Canada West and U Sports First Team All-Stars. ^{[7] [8]}

Club career

In 2022, he played with the Whitecaps FC Academy in League1 British Columbia. ^[9] He made his debut on May 22 against Victoria Highlanders FC. ^[10]

At the 2023 CPL-U Sports Draft, Lajeunesse was selected in the first round (6th overall) by Pacific FC. ^{[11] [12]} After attending pre-season with the club, he signed a U-Sports development contract with the club in April 2023, allowing him to maintain his university eligibility. ^[13] He made his professional debut on April 21 in a 2023 Canadian Championship match against Cavalry FC. ^[14] He also spent some time on loan with Pacific's League1 British Columbia affiliate Nautsa’mawt FC in 2023. ^[15] In August 2023, he departed the club to return to university, per the terms of his U Sports contract. ^{[16] [17]} Pacific subsequently chose to retain his rights for the following season. ^[18] In April 2024, he signed another U Sports contract with the club for the 2024 season. ^[19]

Career statistics

As of 17 August 2023 ^[20]

Club	Season	League			Playoffs		Domestic Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Whitecaps FC Academy	2022	League1 British Columbia	12	0	–		–		–		12	0
Pacific FC	2023	Canadian Premier League	6	0	0	0	1	0	–		7	0
Nautsa’mawt FC (loan)	2023 [15]	League1 British Columbia	4	0	–		–		–		0
Career total			22	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	23	0

References

1. Parmar, Sanjeev [@parmarsports] (September 3, 2021). "After 3620 days at Futuro Soccer Academy, Captain Eric Lajeunesse (2003) has signed with WhitecapsFC" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
2. McColl, Michael (May 20, 2022). "Vancouver Whitecaps U19 2022 League1 BC squad profile (Part One – The Defence)".
3. "Eric Lajeunesse UBC profile". UBC Thunderbirds .
4. Parisis, Quentin (May 30, 2024). "Éric Lajeunesse, l'étudiant et athlète modèle du Pacific FC" [Éric Lajeunesse, the model student and athlete of Pacific FC]. Canadian Premier League (in French).
5. Sargeant, Jeff (September 25, 2022). "Relentless attack powers UBC to 4-0 win over Huskies". UBC Thunderbirds .
6. Sargeant, Jeff (December 15, 2022). "Eric Lajeunesse selected sixth overall by Pacific FC in CPL-U SPORTS Draft". UBC Thunderbirds .
7. "SOC: UBC players headline All-Star teams". Canada West Universities Athletic Association . October 27, 2023.
8. Sargeant, Jeff (November 2, 2023). "Sebastian Dzikowski named Player of the Year, Fuerst and Lee also honoured by Canada West". UBC Thunderbirds .
9. "Whitecaps FC announce rosters for League1 BC". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . May 17, 2022.
10. Fossey, Maxim (May 22, 2022). "League1 BC: Women get the win, men earn a draw". Vancouver Whitecaps FC .
11. Dheensaw, Cleve (December 16, 2022). "PFC selects Lajeunesse and Torresan in CPL-U Sports draft". Times Colonist .
12. Honeysett, Brett (December 16, 2022). "Pacific FC selects UBC's Lajeunesse, Trinity Western's Torresan in CPL U SPORTS draft".
13. Longo, Jack (April 12, 2023). "PFC shows faith in youth development with signing of four young Canadian players". Pacific FC .
14. Longo, Jack (April 21, 2023). "Match Report – Pacific FC v Cavalry FC: Magic of the cup spurs Tridents onto quarter-finals". Pacific FC .
15. "Eric Lajeunesse L1BC Stats". League1 British Columbia .
16. Longo, Jack (August 16, 2023). "Lajeunesse returns to University of British Columbia following end of U SPORTS contract". Pacific FC .
17. Jacques, John (August 17, 2023). "Pacific Draft Pick Eric Lajeunesse Set For Thunderbirds Return". Northern Tribune.
18. ""Maturity and Expertise": PFC U SPORTS Draft pick Lajeunesse talks draft, first professional season and returning to school". Pacific FC . December 15, 2023.
19. "Pacific FC Signs Eric Lajeunesse on U SPORTS Contact". Pacific FC . April 12, 2024.
20. Eric Lajeunesse at Soccerway

External links

• Eric Lajeunesse at Soccerway