VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Monday that the club has signed centre back Cole Seiler. The defender from Georgetown University was the 16th overall selection in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft last month. Seiler will be added to the team's roster pending receipt of his Canadian work permit.



Cole Seiler - Whitecaps FC centre back

Captained Georgetown to their first-ever Big East Tournament championship in 2015

Three-time All-Academic Big East Conference selection

Started 86 of 87 appearances at Georgetown

Seven caps with U.S. U-17 national team

"We've had our eyes on Cole for a while now and he's shown in training camp how he can fit right in with our club," Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson said. "He's a smart player who stood out in the combine and has adjusted well to this level in preseason. He's a great pickup for us."



Seiler, 22, played in both of the club's preseason matches thus far, including 61 shutout minutes in the 2-1 opening win over Seattle Sounders FC on February 3, then 45 minutes as a second half substitute in Vancouver's 3-2 win over New England Revolution on February 6.



"First and foremost, I am thankful to my parents for all the sacrifices they made towards my future both economically and with their time," added Seiler. "I am also thankful to my club coaches at the Carolina Elite Soccer Academy, my high school coach David Wilcox, and definitely my Georgetown coaches who helped me take the greatest leap in my soccer abilities during my four years there. I'm excited to be a member of this club and I look forward to the opportunity to continue developing my skills with the technical staff, as well as my teammates."

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound defender started 86 of his 87 appearances, recorded 43 clean sheets, and chipped in with four goals and an assist in his four years with the Hoyas.

A three-time All-Academic Big East Conference selection, Seiler was also named to the All-Big East Conference Second Team after captaining the Hoyas to the Big East Conference regular season championship and the program’s first-ever Big East Tournament championship in 2015.

During that time, he also spent two seasons in the PDL with Orlando City U-23 and Baltimore Bohemians.



Prior to his collegiate career, Seiler was a four-year letter winner and two-time captain at Christ Church Episcopal High School, where he won three state championships. The Anderson, South Carolina native also won five state championships with Carolina Elite Soccer Academy and earned seven caps with the U.S. U-17 national team.



Whitecaps FC resume preseason play when they wrap up the 2016 Desert Friendlies versus Houston Dynamo on Tuesday. The two teams will play a four 30-minute quarters at 5 p.m. PT. Watch the match live on whitecapsfc.com.



Cole Seiler

Position: Centre back

Height: 6-01

Weight: 180 pounds

Date of Birth: February 5, 1994 in Anderson, South Carolina

Hometown: Anderson, South Carolina

Citizenship: United States

Status: Domestic

Last Club: Georgetown Hoyas (NCAA DI: 2012 to 2015)

How Acquired: Selected 16th overall in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by Whitecaps FC on January 14, signed to the club's MLS roster on February 8