VANCOUVER, BC
– Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced the addition of defender/midfielder
Matteo Campagna
(cahm-pan-ya) from the
Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System
to an MLS Homegrown contract on Friday.
Campagna spent the duration of preseason with the first team after recently being a part of the Whitecaps FC U-23 team. He joins
fellow local signing Kamron Habibullah
to bring the total to seven British Columbians currently signed to the first team roster, as they become the 23rd and 24th academy players all-time to ink an MLS Homegrown contract with the club. Habibullah and Campagna will continue to train with the MLS first team and can be added to the first team roster upon the availability of roster spots.
“Kamron and Matteo are both young players with promising upside; however, this is only the beginning for them,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director and chief executive officer. “They showed up to preseason humble, focused and concentrated. They know that the hard work continues and they need to push themselves to their highest level. We will continue to support them in all aspects of their development, and we believe that they have the ability to earn meaningful minutes in the future.”
Campagna, 16, entered the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System in 2017. In his three seasons in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, he made 53 appearances from U-15 to U-17 and scored one goal. Alongside Habibullah, he was part of the U-15 academy side that claimed the Northwest Division title in 2018. Campagna also participated in the 2018 West Ham United Football Cup with the ‘Caps U-14s and the 2019 SportChain Cup in Rotterdam with the ‘Caps U-15s.
“I am blessed to have signed my first professional contract with my hometown club,” said Campagna. “It has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I want to thank the Whitecaps staff for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank Surrey United, where it all started, and to my friends and agent who have supported me along the way. Most important is my family, who have been there through everything and I can’t thank them enough. I am excited for what’s to come and for my future at the Whitecaps. The hard work continues. All glory to God.”
For his country, Campagna was called up to represented Canada at the 2019 Concacaf U-15 Boys Championship, making four starts while playing in all five matches.
Born in Vancouver, BC, and raised in Surrey, BC, Campagna played his youth soccer with Surrey United SC and was a part of the BC Soccer Provincial Program. Campagna’s father Luca is originally from Frosinone, Italy and mother Tara is from Metro Vancouver.
TRANSACTION:
On April 23, 2021, Whitecaps FC sign defender/midfielder Matteo Campagna from the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System to an MLS Homegrown contract. Campagna can be added to the first team roster upon the availability of roster spots.
Matteo Campagna
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Pronunciation: cahm-pan-ya
Height: 6-01
Weight: 160 pounds
Date of Birth: June 27, 2004 in Vancouver, BC
Hometown: Surrey, BC
Citizenship: Canada, Italy
Status: Domestic
Youth Clubs: Surrey United SC
VWFC Teams: WFC Academy ('17 - present), Whitecaps FC U-23 ('21 - present)
