As the newest acquisition by Langley-based Vancouver FC, SurreyB次元官网网址檚 Grady McDonnell, 15, becomes the youngest signing in Canadian Premier League history, superseding teammate Taryck B次元官网网址楾JB次元官网网址 Tahid, who was 16 years and 16 days old when he inked his first professional contract with the club in May 2023.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 incredibly humbled and excited for the opportunity to compete in a professional environment at my age,B次元官网网址 said McDonnell. B次元官网网址淭his kind of opportunity is what IB次元官网网址檝e always wanted and the fact that IB次元官网网址檓 able to achieve this goal with my hometown team, and to play in front of my friends and family, is all I could ask for.B次元官网网址
His signing to a three-year contract, was announced Wednesday, Jan. 17.
McDonnell, 15, becomes the third under-18 player on VFCB次元官网网址檚 2024 roster, joining 16-year-old Tahid, from Maple Ridge, and 18-year-old James Cameron, from North Vancouver.
Prior to joining VFC, McDonnell played for the Vancouver Whitecaps in their Academy system. Internationally, McDonnell has represented both the Republic of Ireland and Canada at the youth levels, making 20 and four appearances, respectively, since 2022.
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Afshin Ghotbi, Head Coach, Vancouver FC called McDonnell B次元官网网址渙ne of the most talented young players in Canada.B次元官网网址
VFC president Rob Friend told cpl.ca that McDonnell, B次元官网网址渉ands down, was the number one name on our list and across the country. Internationally heB次元官网网址檚 making a name for himself already at 15 years old.B次元官网网址
Last week, Vancouver announced the return of Mika毛l Cantave, Vasco Fry, and Renan Garcia to the 2024 squad, as well as the signing of East Vancouver native Fisk to a two-year deal with a club option for 2026.
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Vancouver FC current roster as of Jan. 17, 2024:
Goalkeeper: Callum Irving
Defenders: Kadin Chung, Rocco Romeo, Ibrahim Bakare, Tyler Crawford, Anthony White, James Cameron
Midfielders: Elliot Simmons, Ben Fisk, Vasco Fry, Renan Garcia, Grady McDonnell
Forwards: Alejandro B次元官网网址榃eroB次元官网网址 D铆az, Mouhamadou B次元官网网址楳amadouB次元官网网址 Kane, Gabriel Bitar, Taryck B次元官网网址楾JB次元官网网址 Tahid, Mika毛l Cantave