VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Monday that the club has transferred Homegrown defender Sam Adekugbe to Norwegian Eliteserien club Vålerenga Fotball - pending receipt of his international transfer certificate. As part of the agreement, Whitecaps FC will receive a percentage of any future transfer fees.

"We are thankful to Sam for his contributions to the club," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "This is a good opportunity for Sam and we wish him all the best as he continues his career with Vålerenga."

Adekugbe, 22, joins Vålerenga after five years with the 'Caps first team, making 16 starts in 23 appearances across all competitions. A WFC Residency product, Adekugbe joined the club in September 2011 and was signed to Vancouver's MLS roster as a Homegrown player in August 2013.

During his final two years in Vancouver, Adekugbe had loan spells with English Football League Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion FC and most recently with Swedish Allsvenskan club IFK Göteborg.

Born in London and raised in Manchester, England, the resident of Calgary, Alberta has made six senior international appearances for Canada.

TRANSACTION: Vancouver Whitecaps FC transfer defender Sam Adekugbe to Norwegian Eliteserien club Vålerenga Fotball on January 8, 2018.