He is barely old enough to drive and still has a couple years until he graduates high school, but Simon Colyn is on his way to playing soccer professionally.
The 16-year-old from Langley signed an MLS Homegrown Player contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps on Thursday morning.
B次元官网网址淭his means a lot to me, I am very excited to be here with the club,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 grew up watching the Whitecaps and now IB次元官网网址檝e made my steps up the ladder.
B次元官网网址淚t is very exciting for me and my family and I am excited to get started with this team.B次元官网网址�
Colyn, an attacking midfielder, has been playing with the Whitecaps FC Residency program since 2016.
He also spent time with the MLS squad during the pre-season when the team was in Hawaii and in three substitute appearances, tallied one assist.
Started with Residency...
B次元官网网址� Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC)
Now, he's here.
Welcome to the first team, Simon!
B次元官网网址淚 felt good being with them, I felt like I fit in,B次元官网网址� Colyn explained.
B次元官网网址淪imon has done very well with the Residency program and showed no fear when he came into the first-team group in pre-season,B次元官网网址� said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. B次元官网网址淗is work ethic and temperament are spot on and I see something in him that I donB次元官网网址檛 see in many young players.
B次元官网网址淪imon has earned this opportunity, but this is the first step on the ladder. The hard work starts now.B次元官网网址�
Colyn has signed a multi-year contract with options through 2022 is the third person from the Whitecaps Residency program to sign a futures contract. He is also one of three teenagers on the B次元官网网址機aps first-team roster.
B次元官网网址淚t has always been a dream since I was young to play profession so knowing that is coming true it is a big thing for me,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut it just the beginning and I have to keep going.B次元官网网址�
An MLS homegrown player is defined as someone who has come through that particular teamB次元官网网址檚 residency or academy program.
Colyn began playing soccer as a young child with the Langley United Youth Soccer Association before switching to Surrey United Soccer Club and then joining the Whitecaps FC Residency program.
He is the 15th youngest player in league history to sign an MLS contract and the sixth player from the 2002-born age group to earn an MLS contract.
In 21 appearances for the WFC Residency U17 and U19 teams this year, has struck for 13 goals in 21 appearances, including five goals in just six games with the U19 squad.
sports@langleytimes.com
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