VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC strengthened their backline on Sunday, announcing the acquisition of centre back Ranko Veselinović from Serbian SuperLiga club FK Vojvodina. The 20-year-old, who was acquired with the use of Allocation Money, joins Whitecaps FC on a one-year loan, with an option to purchase.
Veselinović will occupy an international roster spot and will join the team for preseason camp in the coming days - pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), medical, work permit, and visa.
The 'Caps kick off the 2020 MLS season on Saturday, February 29 when they host Sporting Kansas City at BC Place. For more information on all ticket options, including single match tickets, premium services, 5-packs, groups, and youth tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
“At age 20, Ranko already has a lot of experience playing in a highly competitive league in Serbia," said Whitecaps FC sporting director Axel Schuster. "In addition, being captain at such a young age shows his maturity and character. He is good in the air, fast, and comfortable moving the ball into the midfield after winning possession. He has started at every youth level for his country, has been a regular with his hometown club for three seasons, and now he sees MLS as the next challenge as he continues to develop as a player.”
Whitecaps FC centre back Ranko Veselinović
- Captain of Serbian SuperLiga club FK Vojvodina
- 59 league appearances for FK Vojvodina, as well as five appearances in the Serbian Cup
- Joined Vojvodina youth academy in 2011, made his first team debut in September 2017
- Represented Serbia at the U-16 through U-21 levels
“We were looking to add another centre back to our roster since November, so this move has been in the works for a while, and at the same time we wanted to bring in the right player,” added head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We want to be a club that promotes young players and with the potential that Ranko brings, with his characteristics and profile, we felt this is a very good opportunity for everyone involved. We are looking forward to him joining the team as soon as possible.”
Veselinović, who turns 21 on March 24, has played his entire career with his hometown club FK Vojvodina. A member of the youth academy since 2011, Veselinović made his first team debut on September 16, 2017 and signed his first professional contract on October 27, 2017.
This season in Serbia, Veselinović was named team captain in the summer, had started 19 of the first 20 matches, and helped his side reach third overall in the league prior to the winter break. In total, the 6-foot-2 centre back has made 64 first team appearances in official competition with FK Vojvodina.
Internationally, Veselinović has represented his country at the U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19, and U-21 levels. Most recently, he started both 2021 UEFA European U-21 Championship qualifying matches last November.
TRANSACTION: February 9, 2020, Whitecaps FC acquired Ranko Veselinović on a one-year loan, with an option to purchase, from Serbian SuperLiga club FK Vojvodina with the use of Targeted Allocation Money - pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), medical, work permit, and visa.
Ranko Veselinović
Position: Centre Back
Height: 6-02
Weight: 170 pounds
Date of birth: March 24, 1999 in Novi Sad, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Hometown: Novi Sad, Serbia
Citizenship: Serbia
Status: International
Youth club: FK Vojvodina
Former club/Parent club: FK Vojvodina (Serbian SuperLiga ‘17 - ’20)
