WFC2 add four new players to MLS NEXT Pro roster

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that the club has signed four players to the club’s Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) roster in MLS NEXT Pro.

“We are excited to add these four talented young players to our club who are looking to take the next step in their careers,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director. “Since the return of WFC2, we have shown that there is a clear pathway. We look forward to welcoming each of them to Vancouver and to help them continue in their development.”

Dembo Saidykhan

Saidykhan, 19, is a youth international defender from Gambia, acquired via transfer from Steve Biko FC in his home country. At the international level, Saidykhan made two appearances at the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup. He then went on to play in all four matches at the 2023 FIFA U-20 Men's World Cup, making three starts as Gambia defeated Honduras and France, and tied with South Korea to advance out of Group F before falling 1-0 to eventual champions Uruguay in the Round of 16.

Malek Mehri

Mehri, 19, is a youth international central midfielder from Tunisia acquired via transfer from Espérance Sportive de Tunis. Since 2022, Mehri has made appearances for the club in Tunisia’s Ligue1 Pro, winning the league title in his first season, as well as making the final of the 2022/23 Tunisian Cup, and the semifinals of the 2022/23 CAF Champions League. At the international level, Mehri helped Tunisia reach the semifinals at the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup, and then made two appearances at the 2023 FIFA U-20 Men's World Cup against England and Uruguay in Group E.

Malcolm Simmons

Simmons, 20, is a Canadian central midfielder out of Montreal, Quebec and was acquired via transfer from Portuguese club SC Lusitânia. Most recently, Simmons was on loan to Benfica’s U-23 team, featuring in the Liga Revelação, and Torneio Abertura where they made the final.

Cyprian Kachwele

Kachwele, 18, is a forward from Tanzania joining on a transfer from Azam FC. Kachwele made his debut in Tanzania’s Ligi Kuu Bara in 2022, mixing between the first team and U-20 team. Recently, Kachwele scored a hat-trick for the U-20 side against Kagera Sugar FC in July.

TRANSACTION: On August 3, 2023, Whitecaps FC 2 sign defender Dembo Saidykhan, midfielders Malek Mehri and Malcolm Simmons, and forward Cyprian Kachwele to contracts through 2024.

Dembo Saidykhan
Position: Defender
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 170 poinds
Date of Birth: January 20, 2004, in Bakau, Gambia
Hometown: Bakau, Gambia
Citizenship: Gambia
Status: International
Previous club: Steve Biko FC

Malek Mehri
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 160 pounds
Date of Birth: October 21, 2003 in Ariana, Tunisia
Hometown: Ariana, Tunisia
Citizenship: Tunisia
Status: International
Previous club: Espérance Sportive de Tunis

Malcolm Simmons
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 175 pounds
Date of Birth: February 17, 2003 in Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
Citizenship: Canada
Status: Domestic
Previous club: SL Benfica

Cyprian Kachwele
Position: Forward
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 150 pounds
Date of Birth: February 15, 2005, in Shinyanga, Tanzania
Hometown: Shinyanga, Tanzania
Citizenship: Tanzania
Status: International
Previous club: Azam FC