VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that the club has signed Development Squad winger/fullback Georges Mukumbilwa to an MLS Homegrown contract through 2020, with club options through 2023.

Mukumbilwa becomes the third player transferred from the Development Squad this year, and the 19th player from the Whitecaps FC Academy signed to an MLS Homegrown contract. Mukumbilwa was first discovered by the club through the partnership with the Manitoba Soccer Association and the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System.

“Georges has worked very hard, has the right mentality, and has earned this opportunity,” said Marc Dos Santos, Whitecaps FC head coach. “Georges is great example of the vertical integration we have developed at our club. The young man understands today is a positive step forward in his journey and knows there is still a lot of work ahead of him.”

Whitecaps FC winger/fullback Georges Mukumbilwa

Member of the Whitecaps FC Development Squad since July 2018

Four years with Whitecaps FC Academy

73 starts in 96 appearances, and 20 goals in the Development Academy league

Played with Portage Trail and Manitoba Provincial Team program in his youth

Born in Kalima, Democratic Republic of Congo

TRANSACTION: On August 23, 2019, Georges Mukumbilwa signed to MLS Homegrown contract through 2020, with club options through 2023.

This past January and February, the 19-year-old spent preseason with the first team, playing in preseason matches against V-Varen Nagasaki and Iwaki FC in the Pacific Rim Cup, as well as LA Galaxy and Club Tijuana.

“It means a lot to me to sign an MLS contract with this club,” added Mukumbilwa. “I’ve been here for five years and this is what I’ve always wanted. I would like to thank my family for supporting me, all of my academy coaches here at Whitecaps FC for helping me, and coach Vince Scerbo back home in Winnipeg.”

Mukumbilwa originally joined the Whitecaps FC Academy in 2014, spending four years in the program. In that time, he made 73 starts in 96 appearances in the Development Academy while scoring 20 goals. Following his time in the academy, he was signed to the Whitecaps FC Development Squad in July of 2018.

At the international level, Mukumbilwa has earned one call-up to Canada’s U-18 men’s national team for a series against El Salvador in 2016. Mukumbilwa was born in Kalima, Democratic Republic of Congo and spent his childhood at a refugee camp in Kigali, Rwanda before moving to Canada with his family at 13-years-old.

In his youth, the native of Winnipeg, Manitoba played with Portage Trail, as well as with Manitoba’s Provincial Team program.

Georges Mukumbilwa

Pronunciation: George MOO-Kum-BILL-Wah

Position: Midfielder/Defender

Height: 5-11

Weight: 160 pounds

Date of Birth: September 23, 1999 in Kalima, Democratic Republic of Congo

Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Citizenship: Canadian permanent resident

Status: Homegrown, Domestic

Last Club: Whitecaps FC Development Squad (’18 - ’19), WFC Academy (’14 - ’18)