VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that the club has signed Residency product David Norman Jr. to an MLS contract as a Homegrown Player. The contract will run through 2018, with options until 2021.

"David is a good player and has what every young player should have, and that's an unbelievable attitude," said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. "He comes to work every day, he's hungry, he wants to learn and he wants to get better. As his body grows he will get an understanding of how to use what he's good at. The hard work starts now for him. He deserves his chance and he'll come into preseason to fight for his spot."

David Norman Jr. - Whitecaps FC midfielder

Joined the club at age nine, playing with Whitecaps FC Prospects, U-15, U-16, and U-18 Residency teams, and in USL

Spent one year at Oregon State University in 2016, leading the team in assists as a freshman

Named 2017 Whitecaps FC 2 Player of the Year after leading the team in assists, chances created, and duels won

Having originally started in Whitecaps FC soccer camps as a child, the 19-year old midfielder now moves up to the first team following his first professional season in the United Soccer League (USL). Norman was honoured as Whitecaps FC 2 Player of the Year as a rookie in 2017, starting 25 of his 26 appearances and leading the team with 38 chances created, 144 duels won, and three assists, while also finishing second on the team with 59 tackles. Norman capped off the year by scoring his first professional goal in the team's regular season finale.

"I am thrilled to have signed a first team contract after many successful years in the Residency and last year with Whitecaps FC 2," said Norman. "I look forward to the hard work that is to come and having a chance to play for this club and its supporters."

Previously, the 6-foot-2 midfielder played one year of NCAA Division I soccer at Oregon State University. As a freshman in 2016, he started 15 of his 17 appearances and led the Beavers with five assists, adding two goals, before signing his first professional contract with WFC2.

The son of former Whitecaps FC and Vancouver 86ers player and Canadian international David Norman, the second-generation 'Caps player first began playing for the club at age nine as a member of the Whitecaps FC Prospects program. He would later join the U-15 Residency team before moving up through the U-16 and U-18 teams. Internationally, the younger Norman has represented Canada at the U-15 and U-17 levels.

In his youth, Norman played for seven years at Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club, which was founded by his grandfather David Norman Sr.

David Norman Jr.

Position: Midfielder

Height: 6-02

Weight: 180

Date of Birth: May 31, 1998 in New Westminster, BC

Hometown: Coquitlam, BC

Youth Club: Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC

Citizenship: Canada

Status: Homegrown, Domestic

Last team: Whitecaps FC 2 (USL: ’17)

How Acquired: Signed to MLS contract on Friday, December 1, 2017