Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | February 17, 2008 | ||
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 | 5 | (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 | 3 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of June 23, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of March 19, 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.
McDonnell began playing youth soccer at age six with Coastal FC.[1] Afterwards, he played with the Supra Academy, until age 13.[2] He spent some time with the Whitecaps FC Pre-Academy, before officially joining the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy in August 2022.[3] He had training stints with Blackburn Rovers in England, Schalke in Germany, and Shamrock Rovers FC in Ireland.[4]
In January 2024, he signed a professional contract with Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League through the 2026 season.[5][6] He became the youngest player in league history to sign a contract at 15 years and 11 months.[7][8] He made his debut, at age 16, on May 3 against Cavalry FC.[9]
McDonnell is eligible to represent Canada, where he was born, and Ireland, where his grandfather was from.[10][11]
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.[12] While with the Ireland U15, he served as team captain.[13]
In August 2023, he was called up to the Canada U15 team for the 2023 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship.[14] He scored two goals in a victory over the Dominican Republic.[15]
In October 2023, he was called up to the Republic of Ireland U17 team for 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification matches.[16] 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.[17]