VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Monday that the club has signed goalkeeper Sean Melvin to an MLS Homegrown contract for 2018, with options for 2019, 2020, and 2021. Melvin will join the club’s MLS roster upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC)

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"Sean is another product of what we’re trying to build with our development system here in the club," said head coach Carl Robinson. "He approaches his craft with the right mentality and work ethic, and it has shown in his improvement over the years. He will complement our goalkeeper union as he continues to learn.”

Melvin is the second Vancouver Island native to sign with Whitecaps FC in MLS, following in the footsteps of fellow Residency graduate goalkeeper Simon Thomas. He is also the second British Columbia native to be signed to an MLS Homegrown contract in the past four months, joining David Norman Jr. from Coquitlam.

"I'm really excited to be back and to now sign with the first team," added Melvin. "This has been a long-term goal of mine since I first joined the Residency program. I'm looking forward to pushing our other goalkeepers and putting myself in a position to earn time on the pitch."

Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Sean Melvin

Second player from Vancouver Island to sign with Whitecaps FC in MLS

21 starts and appearances for Whitecaps FC 2 in USL, recording 80 saves, four clean sheets, and a 1.76 GAA

43 starts and 45 appearances for the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, recording 122 saves, 11 clean sheets, and a 1.25 GAA

First joined the club in 2010, developing through the Residency program, PDL, and USL

Earned his first cap for Canada’s senior men’s national team in January 2017

Melvin, 23, was most recently with Whitecaps FC USL affiliate Fresno FC as the Foxes began their inaugural season.

In the past two years, the Victoria, BC native featured for Whitecaps FC 2 in USL, making 21 starts and appearances, and recording 80 saves, four clean sheets, and a 1.76 goals-against average.

The 6-foot-4 goalkeeper was previously called up to the first team for the 2017 Canadian Championship, serving as the back-up goalkeeper for both legs of the semifinal series against Montreal Impact.

Melvin originally joined the club in 2010, beginning with the ‘Caps U-18 Residency side. He also played in the USL Premier Development League, suiting up for the Whitecaps FC U-23 team in 2011 and 2013, as well as Calgary Foothills FC in 2015.

In college, Melvin played three years for the University of North Carolina at Wilmington from 2013 through 2015, starting 43 of his 45 appearances for the Seahawks, and recording 122 saves, 11 clean sheets, and a 1.25 goals-against average.

In international action, Melvin has made one appearance for Canada’s senior men’s national team, suiting up in their 4-2 friendly win over Bermuda in January 2017.

During his youth, Melvin started his soccer career with his hometown Gordon Head Soccer Association, where he was named the club’s Most Outstanding Goalkeeper in 2006. He would later play with Victoria United Metro from 2007 to 2010. The young goalkeeper was also a member of the BC Soccer Provincial program from the U-13 to U-16 levels.

Transaction: Sean Melvin signed to an MLS Homegrown contract on Monday, April 2, 2018

Sean Melvin

Position: Goalkeeper

Height: 6-04

Weight: 200

Date of Birth: July 9, 1994 in Victoria, BC

Hometown: Victoria, BC

Citizenship: Canada

Status: Homegrown, Domestic

Last Club: Fresno FC (USL ‘18)