Metz forward Cheikh Sabaly joins Vancouver | OneFootball

Senegal attacker Cheikh Sabaly (26) has left FC Metz for MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Ligue 1 club has confirmed, for a fee believed to be €1m.

Sabaly joined Metz in 2018 from les Grenats’ partner club Génération Foot in Senegal and has become a regular starter over the past three and a half seasons as the club has yo-yoed between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.

Last season Sabaly scored 15 goals to help Metz to gain promotion back to the top flight. However, he went on strike for a short period at the beginning of this season in order to try to force a move with Middlesbrough heavily linked. Since then, Sabaly has failed to score in 14 Ligue 1 appearances this term.

Sabaly’s Metz performances earned him international recognition and he was part of the Senegal squad that won the 2025 African Cup of Nations. His sole Senegal goal to date was scored in a 3-1 friendly win against England last June.

GFFN | Jeremy Smith