How Nicolas Fleuriau Wore No.52 and Single‑Handedly Made Vancouver Whistle (and Their Defense Cry)
So, you’re curious about Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau and what makes him a name to watch for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He’s a 23-year-old forward from Ottawa who landed his first pro contract after tearing it up with Whitecaps FC 2. Now, he runs out in the number 52 shirt for the first team. His journey took him from St. John’s University—where he snagged All-Big East First Team honors—to Major League Soccer, and lately, to a loan stint in Finland with Vaasan Palloseura.
He fought through an ACL injury during college, came back strong, and pumped in 14 goals in a single season. After joining Whitecaps FC 2, he set a club record by scoring nine goals—no one else in the club’s MLS NEXT Pro history has done that. Those numbers got him a few short-term call-ups before he finally broke into the first team.
But there’s more here than just raw talent. You’re looking at a guy who’s climbed each rung, from West Ottawa Soccer Club and Capital United in his youth, to starring at St. John’s, and now pushing into the pro ranks with Vancouver and VPS. You can actually follow his progress, step by step.
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Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau: Player Profile
You’re watching a forward who’s climbed from Ottawa’s youth leagues to signing a pro deal with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. His story includes a standout college run, bouncing back from injury, and a loan to Europe—all shaping how he plays and who he is on the field.
Background and Early Life
Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, cutting his teeth with West Ottawa Soccer Club and Capital United. Those early years built his technical skills and attacking instincts.
He kept developing at St. John’s University and soon became a key forward for the Red Storm. In 2023, he put away 14 goals in 17 matches and made the All-Big East First Team. That came right after he lost most of 2022 to an ACL tear.
That comeback year? It showed he could adapt and push through tough times. When the Vancouver Whitecaps picked him in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, you could already tell he was made of something different. Each step in his early career set him up for the next level.
Physical Attributes and Playing Style
At 1.78 m (5’10”), Fleuriau Chateau mixes strength and agility in a way that stands out. He uses his frame well in duels, holding off defenders, but he’s still quick enough to stretch the field.
He lines up mostly as a center forward, though he’ll drift wide if the play calls for it. His finishing is what really jumps out—he proved it with nine goals for Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS NEXT Pro.
Here’s a quick look at his numbers:
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | St. John’s Univ. | 17 | 14 | 1 |
| 2024 | Whitecaps FC 2 | 24 | 9 | 4 |
| 2024 | Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS) | 2 | 0 | 0 |
He’s now on loan with Vaasan Palloseura, facing new challenges in Finland’s top league. I’m curious to see how his game shifts there.
Jersey Number Significance
With the Whitecaps, Fleuriau Chateau sports the #52 jersey. It’s not your classic striker’s number, but it kind of fits his story—he worked his way up from the second team.
Usually, higher numbers go to up-and-coming players. For him, #52 signals this early stage of his MLS career—a reminder of how far he’s come, not where he’ll end up.
Maybe he’ll switch numbers down the line as he cements his spot. Right now, #52 is all about opportunity. He’s still carving out his place, hungry for more than just short-term call-ups.
Professional Career with Vancouver Whitecaps FC
He moved fast from college soccer to the pros. The Whitecaps drafted him, he developed with the second team, and then he earned first-team chances before locking down a long-term deal.
MLS SuperDraft Selection
The Vancouver Whitecaps grabbed Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau with the 74th pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. He’d just finished a strong junior season at St. John’s, scoring 14 goals and grabbing All-Big East First Team honors.
That pick showed the Whitecaps believed in his upside, not just what he’d already done. Late-round picks rarely get easy paths, but his size, pace, and finishing gave him a real shot.
For fans, the draft was his first step into a tough pro environment. It also said something about the Whitecaps—they’re willing to develop players from within, not just chase big signings.
Transition from Whitecaps FC 2
After the draft, Fleuriau Chateau started his pro career with Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS NEXT Pro. He became a regular starter, racking up 24 appearances and breaking the club’s single-season record with nine goals. He added four assists, showing he could do more than just finish.
He even scored the 100th goal in WFC2’s MLS NEXT Pro history against Minnesota United FC 2. That wasn’t just another stat—it felt like he was actually making a dent in the club’s pathway.
Here’s his 2024 WFC2 stat line:
| Season | Club | Matches | Starts | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Whitecaps FC 2 | 24 | 20 | 9 | 4 |
His success convinced Vancouver to sign him to an MLS contract through 2025, with options for 2026 and 2027. Sporting director Axel Schuster pointed out that his jump from WFC2 to the first team fit exactly what the club wants to do with its development pipeline.
First Team Debut and Appearances
His progress got him four short-term MLS call-ups in 2024. He started out on the bench against St. Louis CITY SC and Minnesota United FC.
Then, on July 6, he made his MLS debut as a second-half sub against CF Montréal. That was his first real taste of the top level. He got on the field again against FC Dallas on September 7.
He didn’t see a ton of minutes, but those games showed the coaches trusted him in real situations. Shortly after, he signed his first MLS contract on September 13, officially joining the Whitecaps’ senior roster.
In 2025, the club loaned him to Finnish side Vaasan Palloseura for the season. That move gave him regular minutes in Europe while keeping him tied to Vancouver’s long-term plans.
Loan to Vaasan Palloseura
Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau left Vancouver Whitecaps FC for more playing time in Europe. He joined Finland’s top division, ready to test himself and keep developing.
Loan Details and Duration
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced the loan of forward Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau to Vaasan Palloseura (VPS) in April 2025. The deal runs through December 31, 2025, so he’ll be there for the full Veikkausliiga season.
At 23, the Ottawa native had just broken into the Whitecaps first team after signing an MLS contract in September 2024. Before that, he played for Whitecaps FC 2, scoring nine goals and adding four assists in 25 matches.
The Whitecaps had picked him 74th in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, then sent him to their second team. He kept moving up, and now this loan is the next step. Vancouver called the move a chance for him to get experience in a new league while staying under contract.
Performance in Finland
Fleuriau Chateau is already making waves with VPS. In the Veikkausliiga, Finland’s top league, he’s earning steady minutes and showing he can adjust to European football. Reports highlight his speed and knack for finding space to create chances.
Here are his early loan stats with VPS:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veikkausliiga | 10 | 3 | 1 | 720 |
| Finnish Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 | 135 |
His numbers show a player settling in fast, giving VPS another attacking threat while proving to Vancouver he can handle the next level. For a guy who started at the University of Vermont, this loan is a big chance to prove he belongs in the pros.
College Soccer Achievements
You can see how he grew into a reliable forward—steady progress, big games, and recognition at both conference and national levels. His college years laid the groundwork for his pro career.
St. John’s University Career
At St. John’s University, Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau went from a backup to one of the top forwards in the program. You can literally trace his progress: limited minutes as a freshman, then leading scorer as a redshirt junior.
He played four seasons, missing one with an injury. His breakout came in 2023, when he scored 14 goals—one of the best single-season marks in school history. That put him seventh in the nation for goals.
Check out his year-by-year numbers:
| Season | Games Played | Goals | Assists | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Reserve role |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | Missed season (injury) |
| 2023 | 17 | 14 | 1 | 29 | Breakout year |
| 2021 Spring | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Debut season |
That 2023 season really was the turning point.
All-Big East First Team Recognition
He earned a spot on the All-BIG EAST First Team in 2023—a big deal for any forward.
He picked up that honor after scoring four game-winners, knocking in multiple braces, and delivering against ranked teams. Coaches from all over the conference voted for him, which says a lot.
He also grabbed a spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Team and earned Academic All-American honors. Those awards show he wasn’t just a scorer—he stood out on the field and in the classroom.
NCAA Tournament Participation
Postseason experience really shapes a college career. Fleuriau Chateau got his shot at the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore in 2021, when St. John’s made it to the second round.
He came off the bench and clocked minutes against Princeton in the first round, then Oregon State in the second. He wasn’t a starter yet, but those appearances gave him a real taste of high-level competition.
That kind of exposure prepped him for later seasons. If the team had gone back, his scoring touch might have made a difference. Still, just being part of the tournament stands out in his development at St. John’s.
You can check out more about his college career on his St. John’s University Athletics profile.
Youth Development and Early Clubs
A player’s journey usually starts with local clubs that build their skills, discipline, and mindset. For Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau, two Ottawa clubs set the foundation that carried him to St. John’s University and, eventually, into pro soccer.
West Ottawa Soccer Club Experience
At West Ottawa Soccer Club, young players get pushed into real competition early. Nicolas joined as a kid, and the club focused on structured training and regular matches.
He really benefited from a system that valued technical growth and tactical smarts. Coaches pushed him to move better off the ball and finish more consistently. Those skills ended up being central to his forward role.
The club also sent him to regional tournaments, which gave him a chance to test himself against top players in Ontario. It wasn’t just about racking up wins—it was about learning to adapt and finding consistency every week.
Here’s a quick look at what he picked up at West Ottawa:
| Category | Focus at West Ottawa SC |
|---|---|
| Technical Skills | Ball control, finishing drills |
| Tactical Training | Positioning, pressing systems |
| Competition Level | Regional tournaments, league |
Capital United Training
When you check out Capital United, you see Nicolas taking another leap. The club really emphasized individual growth, and that’s where he sharpened his attacking instincts.
Training at Capital United meant more one-on-one coaching and tougher, faster sessions. His improved pace and physical presence started to show during this time, as he learned to handle defenders with more confidence.
Coaches also made sure he could play all across the front line. That versatility became a big asset at St. John’s, where he ended up leading the team in goals in 2023.
Capital United connected him to scouts and college programs, which opened the door for his move to St. John’s. Those early days in Ottawa linked directly to his path into the MLS SuperDraft.
Notable Matches and Milestones
You can follow Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau’s rise through the matches that shaped his early career. From his days at St. John’s University to his run with Whitecaps FC 2 and his MLS appearances, his progress shows steady growth and some real resilience.
MLS NEXT Pro Highlights
If you look at Fleuriau Chateau’s first pro season, his numbers with Whitecaps FC 2 stand out. He led the team in scoring—8 goals and 4 assists in 21 games. That put him among the most efficient forwards in MLS NEXT Pro, and he even tied for first in shots on target.
He didn’t just score here and there—he did it over and over. Starting 17 matches showed the coaches really trusted him as a regular. His knack for creating chances is a big part of why the Vancouver Whitecaps signed him to the first team through 2025.
Here’s a quick look at his 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season:
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 21 |
| Starts | 17 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Shots on Target | 29 |
All that came after a strong 2023 college season at St. John’s University, where he led the Red Storm with 14 goals. Honestly, it’s a clear sign he can adapt fast to the pro level.
Key Matches Against MLS Teams
You got to see his first taste of MLS action in 2024 thanks to a few short-term call-ups. He made his debut as a substitute against CF Montréal on July 6, finally stepping onto the field for his first minutes with the senior squad.
Before that, he sat on the bench as an unused substitute in matches against St. Louis City SC and Minnesota United FC. Even without playing, those moments gave him a sense of the pace and pressure in top-flight games.
His last call-up that year came against FC Dallas on September 7. He didn’t score, but moving from bench option to active participant really showed the trust Vancouver’s staff placed in him.
For a player drafted 74th overall, these early appearances highlight the journey from developmental minutes in MLS NEXT Pro to real opportunities at the MLS level.
