Alexandre Morfaw

PROFILE
A central midfielder that has represented his native Cameroon at youth international level, Alexandre Morfaw joined Whitecaps FC on Aug. 10, 2010, following a spell in Sweden with Bodens Bandyklubb (Bodens BK). The playmaker also has experience of playing in France and England.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2011: In Tom Soehn's first match as Whitecaps FC head coach on June 1, Morfaw made his MLS debut when he started in central midfield during the 1-1 draw at Chivas USA.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RESERVE LEAGUE
2011: The midfielder started Vancouver's inaugural match in the MLS Reserve League, as Whitecaps FC reserves fell 2-1 to San Jose Earthquakes on Mar. 22. Morfaw then assisted on Omar Salgado's goal, as Whitecaps FC reserves drew 1-1 at home to Chivas USA reserves on Apr. 17. He then assisted on Long Tan's equalizing goal during Whitecaps FC reserves' 2-2 home draw with LA Galaxy reserves on July 31.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
2011: Morfaw made his PDL debut in Whitecaps FC Residency's season opener at Empire Field, as Vancouver fell 2-0 at home to Kitsap Pumas on May 1. The midfielder then scored his first two PDL goals on May 13, as the Residency team defeated British Columbia rivals Abbotsford Mariners 2-1 at Empire Field. He also assisted on Caleb Clarke's goal during a 3-1 home win over BC rivals Victoria Highlanders FC on Canada Day (July 1). Morfaw then scored a penalty and registered an assist in a 2-0 home win over North Sound SeaWolves on July 20.

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION DIVISION-2 PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE
2010: Morfaw made his Whitecaps FC debut, and in the North American game, when he came on for fellow debutant Gershon Koffie during the second half of the 0-0 home draw versus Puerto Rico Islanders on Sept. 5. The midfielder went on to make six appearances for the 'Caps that season. This included three appearances during the USSF D-2 playoffs.

SWEDEN
2010: Playing in the third-tier of Swedish soccer (Division 1 Norra), Morfaw started all but one of his eight appearances during his second season with Bodens BK. 2009: After spending a season in England, Morfaw joined Bodens BK - who are based in the town of Boden in northern Sweden - in Feb. 2009. The midfielder scored eight goals in 22 appearances during his first season with the Norrbotten County-based club, as he helped them to promotion from the fourth tier of Swedish soccer as champions of Division 2 Norrland.

ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
2007-08: Despite agreeing to a contract with English League Championship side Leicester City FC in the summer of 2007, a change in manager resulted in Morfaw being released by the East Midlands outfit. The midfielder then proceeded to have a successful trial with fellow Championship club Scunthorpe United FC, where he then signed a one-year contract - plus a one-year option - with the North Lincolnshire outfit on Aug. 16, 2007. However, Morfaw's time with The Iron proved to be frustrating, as a preseason ankle injury restricted him to just six appearances with Scunthorpe's reserve side. He then had a brief spell with Lincoln City after initially joining the English League Two club on a month's loan on Feb. 27, 2008. Following an unsuccessful trial with English League One club AFC Bournemouth in Apr. 2008, Morfaw was released by Scunthorpe on May 9, 2008.

FRENCH LIGUE 1
Morfaw spent seven years with FC Nantes, where he was part of the Brittany-based club's renowned youth academy and reserves teams between the 2000-01 and 2006-07 seasons. 2005-06: The playmaker scored four goals in 17 appearances for FC Nantes reserves, as they finished 11th in Group C of the fourth-tier Championnat de France Amateur (CFA). 2006-07: The midfielder scored one goal in 23 appearances with FC Nantes reserves, as they finished 14th in CFA Group C.

INTERNATIONAL
Morfaw has represented his native Cameroon at youth international level. U-23: Morfaw made nine appearances with Cameroon's U-23 squad, as the playmaker helped his country qualify for the 2008 Men's Olympic Football Tournament as winners of African qualifying zone Group C. Though the U-23 Indomitable Lions made their way to Beijing, China, an injury in the build-up to the Olympic tournament meant Morfaw was unable to play in the Far East. U-20: His seven appearances for Cameroon's U-20 side included his country's campaign at the 2007 African Youth Championship in the Republic of the Congo. Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada after finishing bottom of Group B behind Zambia, Nigeria, and Egypt in Pointe Noire, Congo. U-17: The midfielder made 11 appearances for Cameroon's U-17 squad.

HIGH SCHOOL/AMATEUR
Before joining FC Nantes' youth academy in 2000, Morfaw was part of the youth set-up at French Ligue 1 side FC Girondins de Bordeaux in 1999.

PERSONAL
Born in Douala, Cameroon, Morfaw's current hometown is Paris, France. As a member of the FC Nantes youth academy, the midfielder was a student at the Centre Educatif Nantais pour Sportifs in Nantes, France. Prior to his move to Brittany, Morfaw attended College Paul Bert in Paris, France. His parents are Elena and Prosper Nkouan Tchoua, while he has an older brother named Nana Remy.

INTERESTING FACTS
When not concentrating on his soccer career, Morfaw enjoys performing and producing hip hop and rhythm & blues music. Fluent in English, French, German, and Russian, the midfielder also enjoys playing basketball and billiards, watching movies, and surfing the internet. His is an admirer of French legend Zinedine Zidane, former Portuguese star Luis Figo, Brazilian attacker Ronaldinho, and AC Milan and Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo. Morfaw also follows the fortunes of French giants Olympique de Marseille.