Caniggia Elva


Caniggia Ginola Elva is a St. Lucian-born Canadian soccer player who plays for FC Ingolstadt 04.

Club career

VfB Stuttgart

In November 2013, Elva went on trial with German Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart. On 14 July 2014, his 18th birthday, he signed a four-year contract with them after tryouts with other teams, among them English Premier League football club Arsenal. However, due to Elva not able gaining Canadian citizenship, he wasn't granted permission to play neither for Stuttgart's reserve team in the 3. Liga nor their youth team in Under 19 Bundesliga. As a result of this he did not gain any match practice as he was not ready for the club's first team. Subsequently, he left the club on loan abroad.

Loan to Strasbourg

On 2 February 2015, he was loaned to French third-tier club RC Strasbourg until the end of the season.

VfB Stuttgart II

For the 2015–16 season Elva joined the squad of VfB Stuttgart II. He made his debut for VfB II on 29 August 2015 against Rot-Weiß Erfurt. Elva scored his first goal for VfB Stuttgart II on 26 February 2016 against Hallescher FC. He was released by Stuttgart in July 2018.

Würzburger Kickers

Elva signed with 3. Liga club Würzburger Kickers on 4 September 2018. Elva would score 4 goals and add 2 assists during an injury plagued 2018-19 season.

FC Ingolstadt 04

After one year with Würzburger Kickers, Elva would sign a two year contract with fellow 3. Liga side FC Ingolstadt 04.

International career

Youth

Elva is eligible for St. Lucia, where he was born. He has however indicated that he would like to represent Canada at international level instead, where he was raised. In March 2017 it was announced that Elva was added to the Canadian Under-23 squad for matches against Qatar and Uzbekistan in Qatar later that month. Elva made his U-23 debut and scored against Uzbekistan in a 1-0 victory on 25 March 2017.

Senior

Elva was called up to the Canadian senior team for a friendly against El Salvador on 29 September 2017.

Personal life

Elva was born in the Caribbean island of St. Lucia in Vieux Fort into a football family. His father, Titus "Titi" Elva, is a former national striker for St. Lucia and his uncle, Olivier Elva, is also a former national defender for St. Lucia. He left St. Lucia at the age of 11 to live in Canada.

Career statistics