VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Wednesday that the club has signed striker Myer Bevan to an MLS contract for 2018, with options for 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The 20-year old New Zealand international holds dual citizenship in his native country, as well as Canada through his family, and qualifies as a domestic player.

“Myer is an exciting option for us. He's got great movement. He likes to get in the box,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “He's young, he's hungry, and it will take a little bit of time for us to develop him. We're excited to get him working with the group.”

Myer Bevan - Whitecaps FC striker

Joined Whitecaps FC 2 midway through the 2017 season

Scored three goals in 11 starts and 13 appearances, leading WFC2 with an 18.8 per cent conversion rate (minimum 10 shots attempted)

Scored two goals for New Zealand at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Made his senior national team debut for New Zealand last September in FIFA World Cup qualifying, scoring his first goal in just his second appearance

“It’s an honour to be joining the Whitecaps FC first team," said Bevan. "Since I joined the club last season with Whitecaps FC 2, the technical staff has helped me grow as a player, and I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead. I can’t wait to get back to training and continue my development.”

Bevan, 20, moves up to the first team after joining Whitecaps FC 2 in May during the the 2017 USL season. He finished with three goals in 11 starts and 13 appearances. His 18.8 per cent conversion rate was tops among WFC2 players with a minimum of 10 shots attempted.

In international competition, Bevan made his senior national team debut for New Zealand in a September FIFA World Cup qualifying series versus Solomon Islands, scoring his first goal in just his second appearance in the return leg. The Auckland native also starred for the U-20 national team, recording a hat-trick in his international debut in the Oceania World Cup qualifiers in 2016, and notching a brace in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Prior to joining Whitecaps FC 2, Bevan played in the Nike Football Academy, a full-time professional-level training program out of St George’s Park, the English FA national football centre in the United Kingdom. Prior to his move to England, Bevan got his start with semi-professional side Western Springs AFC. He then developed in the youth team of his hometown club Auckland City FC in 2015-16, and made his professional debut with the first team in February 2016.

Myer Bevan (MY-er BEV-in)

Position: Striker

Height: 6-00

Weight: 170

Date of Birth: April 23, 1997 in Auckland, New Zealand

Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand

Citizenship: New Zealand/Canada

Status: Domestic

Last team: Whitecaps FC 2 (USL: ’17)

How Acquired: Signed MLS contract on Wednesday, December 13, 2017