VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that midfielders Russell Teibert and Alexandre Morfaw, striker Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo, and centre back Michael Boxall have all been signed to the club’s Major League Soccer roster. Per club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Teibert, 18, joins Vancouver's MLS roster after signing a 'Generation adidas' contract with MLS. The native of Niagara Falls, Ontario, also becomes the club's fourth homegrown player signing after goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre and midfielders Philippe Davies and Nizar Khalfan. At 17 years and 221 days, Teibert became the 10th youngest player to appear in a competitive match for the Whitecaps FC first team when he played the first half of a 2-2 away draw versus Carolina RailHawks in the USSF D-2 Pro League on July 31, 2010. Named Canadian U-17 Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009, Teibert has been part of Whitecaps FC since September 10, 2008, when he became a member of the club's Residency program. The 5-foot-7, 145-pound winger has also represented Canada at the youth international level. He appeared for his country at the 2009 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Tijuana, Mexico, before earning recent call-ups to Canada's U-20 and U-23 Olympic teams.
"It's a great feeling to be signed by this great club. Vancouver is like a hometown to me," said Teibert. "The Whitecaps have helped me grow as a player since I arrived here in 2008, so it's exciting for myself to break through to the first team.”
Morfaw, 23, becomes part of Vancouver's MLS roster after making six USSF D-2 Pro League appearances for Whitecaps FC last season, having initially joined the club on August 10, 2010. Prior to his spell with the 'Caps, the native of Douala, Cameroon, spent two seasons with Sweden's Bodens Bandyklubb (Bodens BK), where he helped the northern Swedish outfit earn promotion to the third-tier Division 1 Norra for the 2010 season. A product of French side FC Nantes, the 5-foot-9, 165-pound midfielder had a spell with Scunthorpe United FC during the 2007-08 English Football League Championship campaign. Morfaw has also represented Cameroon at the U-17, U-20, and U-23 international level. This included the 2007 African Youth Championship with Cameroon's U-20 squad, as well as the U-23 Indomitable Lions' successful qualification for the 2008 Men's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing, China.
"I feel very honoured to be part of this new team in MLS, as they have put their trust in me," said Morfaw. "For all they have done for me, I hope to give back to Whitecaps FC by performing well on the pitch this season."
Camilo, 22, joins Whitecaps FC following a successful trial with Teitur Thordarson's side. A native of Presidente Prudente, Brazil, the striker played for Oeste Paulista Esporte Club and Sport Club Corinthians Alagoano in his home country before moving to Europe, where he had a very successful spell in Malta with Qormi FC. During the 2009-10 season, Camilo was the top scorer in both the Maltese Premier League (24 goals) and Maltese FA Trophy (six goals). The Brazilian’s contributions helped Qormi FC reach the Maltese FA Trophy final that season. Last July, Camilo made the switch to the Far East when he joined Gyeongnam FC in South Korea's Professional Football League (K-League). The striker made seven appearances for the Gyeongnam FC first team and had six goals in seven appearances for the club's 'B' team.
“I am very happy to join Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer,” said Camilo. “Having had the chance to play in Europe and Asia, I now look forward to the challenge of playing at the highest level in North America.”
Boxall, 22, joined Whitecaps FC after being the top pick in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft on January 18. The native of Auckland, New Zealand, enjoyed four seasons in NCAA Division I with the University of California, Santa Barbara. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defender started 75 of his 78 appearances for the Gauchos, scoring one goal and adding five assists. Boxall has also represented New Zealand at the U-20, U-23, and senior international levels, with the defender earning a recent call-up to the full All Whites squad. He made two appearances for New Zealand 'A' during the 2006 Agribank Cup in Vietnam and two starts for New Zealand U-23's during the 2008 Men's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing, China. Boxall also made three starts for the All Whites during the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.
"I'm very excited to put pen to paper with the club, as it's been a very good preseason for me," said Boxall. "Even getting to know the supporters of the club at the Cascadia Summit was a great experience. I hope to continue developing from my time in college and make a contribution to the Whitecaps."
Russell Teibert
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-07
Weight: 145
Born: December 22, 1992, in Niagara Falls, Ontario
Hometown: Niagara Falls, Ontario
Citizenship: Canada
Last Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC (USSF D-2 Pro League)
How Acquired: Signed to a MLS 'Generation adidas' contract by Whitecaps FC on March 17, 2011
Alexandre Morfaw
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-09
Weight: 165
Born: August 31, 1987, in Douala, Cameroon
Hometown: Paris, France
Citizenship: Cameroon
Last Club: Vancouver Whitecaps FC (USSF D-2)
How Acquired: Signed to a MLS contract by Whitecaps FC on March 17, 2011
Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo
Position: Striker
Height: 5-07
Weight: 155
Born: July 21, 1988, in Presidente Prudente, Brazil
Hometown: Presidente Prudente, Brazil
Citizenship: Brazil
Last Club: Gyeongnam FC (South Korean K-League)
How Acquired: Signed to a MLS contract by Whitecaps FC on March 17, 2011
Michael Boxall
Position: Defender
Height: 6-02
Weight: 200
Born: August 8, 1988 in Auckland, New Zealand
Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand
Citizenship: New Zealand
Last Club: University of California, Santa BarbaraHow Acquired: Signed to a MLS contract by Whitecaps FC on March 17, 2011
Whitecaps FC Major League Soccer 2011 season tickets start at a base price of $319, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order, and more than 60 per cent of seats are available for less than $31 per game. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, suites, and loge boxes, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com.
About Vancouver Whitecaps FC
In 1974, Vancouver Whitecaps FC played their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League, and in 1979, the club won the NASL Soccer Bowl championship. From 1987 to 1992, as a member of the Canadian Soccer League, Vancouver won four straight CSL titles. In 2002, Whitecaps FC created a full club model that encompasses professional teams for men and women, extensive youth development and grassroots participation programs, facility development, and the Whitecaps Foundation to support specific initiatives related to health and wellness through soccer. Since 2004, Whitecaps FC have won two United Soccer Leagues First Division championships and two USL W-League championships. In 2011, Whitecaps FC will begin their inaugural season in Major League Soccer at Empire Field before moving into the new BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver in early October.
