Whitecaps acquire Serbian M Aleksa Cvetkovic

May 9, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; General view of the game ball before the start of the first half between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images The Vancouver Whitecaps announced the acquisition of midfielder Aleksa Cvetkovic from Serbian side OFK Beograd on Wednesday. The 21-year-old Serbian signed a U22 Initiative contract through the 2029-30 MLS season with a club option for 2030-31. "Aleksa has been a regular starter and standout player for OFK Beograd over the past two seasons in a highly competitive league," Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster said. "He brings tremendous energy and intensity to every match, along with a relentless work rate as a box-to-box midfielder. We believe he can make a valuable contribution to our squad while continuing to grow and develop as he adapts to a new country and a new league." Cvetkovic recorded seven goals and nine assists in 73 matches (52 starts) with OFK Beograd in the Serbian SuperLiga from 2024-26. From Serbia to Canada ??????Welcome to Vancouver, Aleksa ??We have acquired 21-year-old Serbian box-to-box midfielder Aleksa Cvetkovic via transfer from OFK Beograd on a U22 Initiative contract through the 2029-30 season.?? | https://t.co/A2SzPn7Zix#VWFC pic.twitter.com/avFCUB35v3— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) August 12, 2026 "I'm excited to join the Vancouver Whitecaps FC family," Cvetkovic said. "From the very first moment I learned the club was interested in me, I was highly motivated to make this move, and I truly believe it is the right step for my career. The team plays an intense, attacking style of football, with a lot of movement and running, which suits me well and will allow me to continue developing as a player." --Field Level Media