VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the addition of Italian goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate and Canadian work permit and visa. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"Paolo is a goalkeeper with great size, MLS experience, and a fantastic upbringing within the Inter Milan youth system," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “I brought him in because I want to have three good goalkeepers on the roster and I expect him to push David Ousted and the already talented pool of goalkeepers that we have.”

Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi

· Made nine regular season appearances with Chicago Fire

· Former youth player with Inter Milan

· Represented Italy at every level from U-16 to U-20

· Permanent resident of the United States; domestic player in MLS

Check out Paolo Tornaghi's MLS Save of the Week nominee

Tornaghi, 25, joins Whitecaps FC as a free agent after spending two seasons with Eastern Conference side Chicago Fire. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound goalkeeper started each of his nine regular season appearances with the Fire, accumulating one clean sheet and a 3W-4L-2D record.



The Garbagnate Milanese, Italy native started the first three matches of the 2012 season for the Fire, which included in a 1-1 draw with Montreal Impact in front of 58,912 fans at Olympic Stadium and a 1-0 win over Philadelphia Union. Tornaghi also appeared in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match, as well as pair of international exhibitions against Aston Villa and Santos Laguna during his first season in MLS.



This past season, Tornaghi appeared in six regular season matches with the Fire and recorded victories against D.C. United and San Jose Earthquakes.

Before joining the Fire in 2012, Tornaghi was a member of storied Italian club FC Internazionale Milano. While on loan from Inter Milan between 2008 and 2011, Tornaghi enjoyed two stints with Serie C side Como, where he appeared in six league matches and two Coppa Italia matches.



Tornaghi also played the 2009-10 season on loan with northern Italian side Rimini, where he appeared in two league matches and one Coppa Italia match.



At the international level, Tornaghi has represented his native Italy at every level from U-16 to U-20 and was part of the Azzuri side that participated in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, where he appeared in two matches.



Tornaghi obtained his permanent residency status (green card) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in September 2013, and therefore counts as a domestic player in MLS.



Paolo Tornaghi

Pronunciation: TOR-nah-GEE

Position: Goalkeeper

Height: 6-4

Weight: 185 pounds

Date of Birth: June 21, 1988, in Garbagnate Milanese, Italy

Hometown: Garbagnate Milanese, Italy

Citizenship: Italy, United States (Green Card)

Status: Domestic

Previous Club: Chicago Fire

How Acquired: Signed to a MLS contract on February 18, 2014



Whitecaps FC begin their 2014 MLS season on March 8 versus New York Red Bulls at BC Place. Season tickets start at just $349, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps also offer a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.