VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Tuesday that the club has signed defender/midfielder Brett Levis to a multi-year first-team contract. The contract is through 2017 with options for 2018 and 2019.

Levis, who was born and raised in Saskatoon, is the first-ever player from the University of Saskatchewan to sign a Major League Soccer contract.

Their words: Levis reflects on his journey from Saskatchewan to Major League Soccer

Levis will be available for selection in tonight’s CONCACAF Champions League match against Sporting Kansas City at BC Place. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT and tickets are still available . The match will also be streamed live on the CONCACAF Facebook page (available to users in North America who are logged into Facebook).

Whitecaps FC defender/midfielder Brett Levis

First-ever MLS player from University of Saskatchewan, finishing as the program's all-time leader in assists and second in goals

Second WFC2 player to sign with the first team, recording eight goals and four assists in 40 USL appearances

Assisted on equalizing goal in his first-team debut last month versus Crystal Palace FC

Joined Whitecaps FC in 2014, playing one season for WFC U-23 in the USL PDL

"Brett is a great example of a player who took his opportunity," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "With Whitecaps FC 2, he showed skill and versatility, and the willingness to learn and adapt to a new position. When given the chance to train and to play for the first team, he's taken full advantage of it."

Levis, 23, is the second Whitecaps FC 2 player to sign with the club's first team.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for this and it’s finally here,” said Levis. “It means everything to me. I’ve been with this club for three years now. I’m ready to make this next step and I’m very excited for the future. Hopefully this will help create a pathway for more players coming from Saskatchewan."

The left back, who previously lined up as a winger, participated in the first team's preseason training camp in February, before making his debut in the July 19 international friendly versus British Premier League side Crystal Palace FC, where he assisted on the equalizer in the 2-2 draw. He followed it up with another first-team call-up two weeks later, helping set up the game-winner in the CONCACAF Champions League opener against Trinidad and Tobago side Central FC.

Levis joined the club in 2014, playing one season in the USL Premier Development League, tallying two goals and four assists in 14 appearances for Whitecaps FC U-23. He became one of the first players signed to Whitecaps FC 2 in February 2015, and proceeded to record eight goals and four assists in 40 appearances in less than two seasons in the USL.

Prior to joining Whitecaps FC, Levis played in the CIS from 2011 to 2014 with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, finishing as the all-time leader with 16 assists, and second in program history with 29 goals. He also spent one campaign with Victoria Highlanders FC in the 2013 USL PDL season.

In his youth, Levis started out with the Saskatoon Youth Soccer Club, then played his high school soccer for the Centennial Chargers. He also featured for the Saskatoon Accelerators of the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League, and represented Team Saskatchewan at the 2009 Canada Games.

Brett Levis

Position: Defender/Midfielder

Height: 5-08

Weight: 155 pounds

Date of Birth: March 29, 1993 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Citizenship: Canada

Status: Domestic

Youth Clubs: Saskatoon Youth Soccer Club, Centennial Chargers, Saskatchewan Huskies, Victoria Highlanders

How Acquired: Signed MLS contract on August 23, 2016

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