VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that the club has signed New Zealand international goalkeeper Stefan Marinović through 2018 with club options for 2019 and 2020.
Marinović, 25, will occupy an international roster spot and officially join the club's roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate, Canadian work permit, and medical examinations.
Stefan Marinović - Whitecaps FC goalkeeper
- Started all three matches for New Zealand at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, and has now earned 19 senior international appearances for the All Whites
- Member of German 3. Liga side SpVgg Unterhaching since 2014
- Made 100 combined appearances in eight years in 3. Liga and Regionalliga
“Stefan has all the attributes that you want in a goalkeeper,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “He’s big, he’s strong, he’s agile, he has all the fundamentals, and he’s a winner. At only 25 years old, he has already gained a ton of playing experience in Germany, as well as internationally with New Zealand. Stefan will increase the level of competition with our keepers and we are excited to welcome him to the group."
Whitecaps FC also confirmed on Friday that the club has acquired an international roster spot through December 31, 2017 from Montreal Impact in exchange for $50,000 of General Allocation Money. With these transactions, Whitecaps FC now have nine international spots through the 2017 MLS season, all of which are occupied.
Marinović joins Whitecaps FC after spending his entire eight-year professional career in the German 3. Liga and Regionalliga, most recently with Unterhaching. He began his professional career with SV Wehen Wiesbaden in 2009, before stints with FC Ismaning and TSV 1860 Munich II, prior to landing with Unterhaching in 2014. In total, Marinovic had 99 starts in 100 league appearances in Germany.
Internationally, the Auckland native has 19 senior appearances for New Zealand, started all three matches at last month's FIFA Confederations Cup and all nine 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the Kiwis, who will face Solomon Islands in the final round of qualifying for the Oceania Football Conference this September. The winner will then face the fifth-place team from CONMEBOL in an inter-confederation playoff for a berth in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Marinović, who also represented New Zealand at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, is set to arrive in Vancouver tonight but will not be eligible for Sunday's match against Portland Timbers.
Transaction: Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS) trade $50,000 of General Allocation Money to Montreal Impact in exchange for an international roster spot through December 31, 2017 and sign New Zealand international goalkeeper Stefan Marinović through 2018 with club options for 2019 and 2020
Stefan Marinović
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-03
Weight: 220 pounds
Date of Birth: October 7, 1991 in Auckland, New Zealand
Citizenship: New Zealand
Status: International
Previous Club: SpVgg Unterhaching (German 3. Liga)
How Acquired: Free agent signed on July 21, 2017
