Grady McDonnell

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	17	(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	8	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 19, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of November 5, 2024

Grady McDonnell (born February 17, 2008) is a footballer 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. Born in Canada, he is a youth international for Ireland.

Early life

McDonnell began playing youth soccer at age five with Coastal FC. ^[1] Afterwards, he played with the Supra Academy, until age 13. ^{[2] [3]} He spent some time with the Whitecaps FC Pre-Academy, before officially joining the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy in August 2022. ^[4] He had training stints with Blackburn Rovers in England, Schalke in Germany, and Shamrock Rovers in Ireland. ^[5]

Club career

In January 2024, he signed a professional contract with Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League through the 2026 season. ^{[6] [7]} He became the youngest player in league history to sign a contract at 15 years and 11 months. ^{[8] [9]} He made his debut, at age 16, on May 3 against Cavalry FC, ^[10] becoming the second youngest player to debut in club history and the third youngest in league history. ^[11] In July 2024, he was named to the CPL Team of the Week for the first time for week 15. ^[12]

International career

McDonnell is eligible to represent Canada, where he was born, and Ireland, where his grandfather was from. ^{[13] [14]}

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. ^[15] While with the Ireland U15, he served as team captain. ^[16]

In August 2023, he was called up to the Canada U15 team for the 2023 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship. ^[17] He scored two goals in a victory over the Dominican Republic. ^[18]

In October 2023, he was called up to the Republic of Ireland U17 team for 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification matches. ^[19] 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. ^[20] On 5 September 2024, McDonnell scored his first goal for Republic of Ireland U17 team in a 2–1 loss to Denmark U17.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

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. "My Journey: Grady McDonnell". Coastal FC. September 6, 2024.
4. "Grade McDonnell Whitecaps profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC .
5. Davidson, Neil (April 12, 2024). "Midfielder Grady McDonnell the latest teenager to join Vancouver FC". The Globe & Mail .
6. 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 .
7. Jacques, John (January 17, 2024). "Vancouver FC Signs 15-Year-Old Grady McDonnell To Pro Deal". Northern Tribune.
8. Adams, J.J. (January 17, 2024). "How Vancouver FC is leading the charge in Canadian youth development". The Province .
9. Hewitt, Thomas (January 17, 2024). "Vancouver FC break their own Canadian Premier League record by signing 15-year-old Grady McDonnell". Canadian Soccer Daily.
10. 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 .
11. Veth, Manuel (September 18, 2024). "Who is Grady McDonnell? Vancouver FC talent models his game after Jude Bellingham". Transfermarkt .
12. "CPL's youngest signing Grady McDonnell earns first TOTW recognition". Vancouver FC . July 22, 2024.
13. Jacques, John (January 19, 2024). "Eagles Youngster McDonnell Set For Ireland U-16 Duty". Northern Tribune.
14. "Vancouver FC's Grady McDonnell to represent Republic of Ireland Men's U-17 Squad". Vancouver FC . February 12, 2024.
15. "Grady McDonnell called up to Republic of Ireland U-15 national team". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . October 10, 2022.
16. Jacques, John (August 12, 2023). "Five Canada U-15 Players To Watch". Northern Tribune.
17. "Three Whitecaps FC BMO Academy players named to Canada for Concacaf U-15 Championship". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . August 3, 2023.
18. "The week that was: Midfield bombs and magic tricks". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . August 8, 2023.
19. "McDonnell called up to Republic of Ireland U-17s for UEFA qualifiers". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . October 2, 2023.
20. "McDonnell helps Ireland win Victory Shield". Vancouver Whitecaps FC . November 12, 2023.

External links

• Grady McDonnell at Soccerway
• Grady McDonnell at the Canadian Soccer Association