Whitecaps loan Sam Adekugbe to Swedish club IFK Goteborg

The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Tuesday that Sam Adekugbe has been loaned to Swedish side IFK Goteborg until the end of 2017.

The Canadian defender is fresh off competing at the Gold Cup following his loan spell in England with Brighton & Hove Albion, where he made five appearances in all competitions during the club's promotion-winning campaign.

"Sam's year in England served him well, and he was rewarded with a call-up to the Gold Cup," Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said. "This opportunity in Sweden will help him continue to grow as a professional football player while playing in a tough and competitive league. We'll continue to track his development."

The 22-year-old joined the Whitecaps' MLS roster as a Homegrown player in 2013.