The Vancouver Whitecaps have filled their third DP Spot. Scottish international Stuart Armstrong has landed in Vancouver. It’s a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
While he may be 32, Armstrong brings a ton of experience and signing a veteran opens the MLS Cup contention window more. The Scotsman will be signed until 2026.
“We are very excited to welcome Stuart and his family to Vancouver,” said Whitecaps CEO and Sporting Director Axel Schuster in the press release. “He is a player who has excelled for many years at the highest levels in the United Kingdom, as well as internationally with Scotland. He brings experience, tactical awareness, positional flexibility, and a very high work rate. In addition, his passing range and elite chance creation from the midfield position will add another dimension to our team’s overall attack.”
Stuart Armstrong’s career
Armstrong was born in the city of Inverness. It is located in the Scottish highlands on the northeast coast and has a population of around 46,780 people.
Armstrong played for Dyce Boys Club and the Inverness Caledonian Thistle youth teams before signing with Dundee United professionally in 2009. He was 17 years old. Over a year later, he made his debut for Dundee United.
During his time there from 2010 to 2015, Armstrong managed 52 goal contributions (21 goals and 31 assists) in 150 appearances. From 2012 to 2014, Armstrong was teammates with another Scottish midfielder named Ryan Gauld.
At Dundee United, Armstrong was named the SFWA Young Player of the Year for the 2012-13 season and the following season, he was in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.
On February 2, 2015, Armstrong along with Gary Mackay-Steven left Dundee United to join Celtic. The transfer came after Celtic was turned down two offers for him in January by Dundee United. The club stated that Armstrong and Mackay-Steven wanted to leave. However, Armstrong came out and said that was not true.
It was at Celtic where Armstrong would win some silverware. He was an integral part of Celtic’s dominance in Scottish football in the mid-2010s.
With the Bhoys, Armstrong won four Scottish Premierships, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups. He was in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year in 2014-15 and 2016-17.
Armstrong flourished at Celtic Park scoring 28 goals and 25 assists for 53 goal contributions across 98 matches across all competitions. He was a fan favourite there and the fans sang this really catchy song about him.
In July 2018, Armstrong signed for English Premier League club Southampton for a reported fee of seven million pounds. With The Saints, he made 214 appearances and scored 25 goals and managed 19 assists for 44 goal contributions across all competitions.
Unfortunately, Armstrong didn’t replicate the same individual and team success he did at Celtic. When he was at Armstrong, Southampton finished in the bottom half of the Premier League table with their highest finish being 11th in 2020-21. In 2022-23, Armstrong and Southampton were relegated after finishing dead last but secured promotion back to the Premier League this past season after winning the English Championship play-offs. Of course, Armstrong played a big part in that.
Armstrong left Southampton in June and had trials with Brentford in August.
He also has 51 caps with the Scottish national team and has scored five goals. Armstrong has represented his country at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
What can Armstrong do?
First and foremost, Armstrong is a natural creator.
The FootballReference stats speak for themselves. The numbers being in the high 90 percentiles in all the passing and progressive passes categories are a great way to show what kind of player he is.
Armstrong is an excellent passer, both in the short range and the long range. Throughout his career, he has played as a 10 or an 8 but has played on the left or the right at times. However, his best position is higher up the pitch as a 10 or an attacking eight. The Scotsman knows how to pass and cross the ball into the box and the penalty area. He led the Championship last season in passes into the penalty area with 98 according to FootballReference.
Armstrong is also a player who knows how to find space for himself and his teammates to create the perfect scoring opportunity. While he isn’t the best defensively, he is a player who is really good with the ball with his feet. Like Gauld, he works hard to get the ball and can be counted on to make the right play.
Not only is he a creator but he knows how to score, especially from distance. This goal he scored against Coventry is a thing of beauty.
Whether in the box or outside it, Armstrong won’t hesitate to shoot.
How does Armstrong fit with the Whitecaps?
As mentioned, Armstrong is best suited as a number 10 or 8.
In Vanni Sartini’s 3-4-3 system, Armstrong would work on either of the wings or as an eight next to a defensive midfielder. In this case, the latter works best. While Andres Cubas or Sebastian Berhalter can cover defensively, Armstrong provides the offence.
He will be the one to kickstart the attack with his passing. While Cubas is the metronome, Armstrong is the opening melody. Expect him to mainly be around Cubas centrally but again, he isn’t afraid to move up into the box. With Sartini’s system based on pressing and quick transitions, Armstrong’s work rate and progressive passing ability fit the bill.
Armstrong could create service for Gauld and White, which is something the Whitecaps desperately needed. Here’s how a fully healthy Whitecaps could line up with him. (Note: Armstrong wasn’t announced when this article was being written so that’s why his number is 14 here.)
This looks like a strong lineup. If all goes to plan, Armstrong and Cubas could be one of the best midfield duos in MLS.
Is this a good signing?
Armstrong is just what the Whitecaps needed and ticks off the boxes. He’s a creative midfielder who can also score and can be a key player down the stretch and next season.
It will take him time to get settled in but a player of his calibre can do well in MLS. Full credit to Schuster and his staff here as they found a diamond on a free. It also shows that the club does have ambition and is serious.
Time to let Armstrong cook.