TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Trade
- LAFC receive: Maxime Crepeau
- VAN receive: $1 million GAM, 2025 MLS SuperDraft first-round pick, conditional GAM
UPDATE (Jan. 20) – LAFC have acquired goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for $1 million in General Allocation Money (GAM), plus a 2025 MLS SuperDraft natural first-round pick and conditional GAM if certain performance metrics are met.
The funds break down as $250,000 in 2022 GAM, $250,000 in 2023 GAM and $500,000 in GAM between 2023, 2024 and/or 2025 based on Crepeau's roster status.
The GAM trade outlay is the most for a goalkeeper and among the highest in MLS history.
"We are thrilled to add a goalkeeper of Maxime’s quality to our roster,” LAFC co-president & general manager John Thorrington said in a release. “We consider Maxime to be one of the top goalkeepers in MLS. Like us, we know he is committed to winning, and his leadership and experience will contribute to our success on the field.”
Crepeau, 27, has been capped 14 times by Canada. He's coming off a career-high six shutouts in 27 appearances with Vancouver last season.
“Max came to us with a very personal request,” Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said in a release. “Although he has been an important player, of course we made the decision to support Max as best we could, as long as his value was acknowledged in the deal. We have managed to finalize the largest trade in league history for a goalkeeper, and one of the biggest overall. We would like to thank Max for his three years here. He has put his heart and soul into the team and he has the respect of everyone at the club."
LAFC, led by new head coach Steve Cherundolo, continue an offseason flurry of trades in pursuit of an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs return. Since losing Tyler Miller, goalkeeper has been a troublesome spot for the Black & Gold.
As for Vancouver, they're expected to turn to homegrown Thomas Hasal for head coach Vanni Sartini's first full year at the helm.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone within the Vancouver Whitecaps organization for all of their support since day one. Furthermore, I am extremely grateful to the amazing fan base and supporters in the great city of Vancouver, you always had my back,” Crepeau said in a release. “Thank you to everyone for the wonderful messages you have shared with me, as this is personally the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my professional career. I’m extremely thankful to the club for working together on finding a solution."
ORIGINAL (Jan 19) – LAFC are in advanced talks in a trade for Canadian international goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau from Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a source confirms to MLSsoccer.com. The Washington Post's Steven Goff first reported a deal was close.
A source adds the deal would be worth around $1 million in General Allocation Money. Crepeau conveyed a desire to be traded away from Vancouver, citing family reasons. He was not with the club when they kicked off preseason this week, with the Whitecaps saying that absence was for personal reasons.
Crepeau, 27, has made 57 MLS appearances with Vancouver, arriving from CF Montréal ahead of the 2019 season. He is regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in MLS and has 14 caps with the Canadian men's national team.
Crepeau would solve a rotating door at the position for LAFC. Since moving on from Tyler Miller ahead of the 2020 season, LAFC have had numerous starting GKs including Kenneth Vermeer, Pablo Sisniega, Tomas Romero and Jamal Blackman. Only Romero remains on the roster.
Vancouver homegrown Thomas Hasal, 22, would be expected to elevate to the starting role. Hasal entered the national stage with memorable performances at the MLS Is Back Tournament in 2020, when Crepeau missed time due to a thumb injury. He made eight starts in 2020 and another seven in 2021.
The deal could be the latest key intra-league addition by LAFC this offseason. They previously acquired midfielder Kellyn Acosta (from the Colorado Rapids for $1.1m GAM plus $400k GAM incentives), defender Franco Escobar (from Atlanta United for $250k GAM plus $350k GAM incentives), forward Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (formerly of NYCFC but via Charlotte FC in the Expansion Draft for $400k GAM) and midfielder Ilie Sanchez (formerly of Sporting KC but signed as a free agent).
It would also be the latest seven-figure trade in MLS over the last half-year, following Acosta, Alistair Johnston ($1m GAM to CF Montréal from Nashville SC), Lewis Morgan ($1.2m GAM to New York Red Bulls from Inter Miami), Mark-Anthony Kaye ($1m GAM + other assets to Colorado from LAFC) and Jeremy Ebobisse ($1.167m GAM to San Jose Earthquakes from Portland Timbers).
