Whitecaps transfer Sebastian Berhalter to Middlesbrough

The Vancouver Whitecaps have transferred U.S. World Cup midfielder Sebastian Berhalter to English Championship club Middlesbrough. Financial terms were not released, though Vancouver will retain a sell-on percentage in a future transfer.

The 25-year-old leaves after four and a half seasons with the Whitecaps. He made 167 appearances in all competitions, scoring 20 goals and adding 34 assists.

Berhalter helped Vancouver win four consecutive Canadian Championships, reach the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup final and claim the 2025 MLS Western Conference title. He was named to the 2025 MLS Best XI and was selected as an MLS all-star in each of the past two seasons.

Sporting director Axel Schuster said the club and the player had been discussing his future and understood that Berhalter wanted to pursue the right European opportunity. The Whitecaps, who are 10-3-3, return to MLS action Saturday at home against Los Angeles FC.