VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that the club has signed 16-year old Residency attacking midfielder Simon Colyn to an MLS Homegrown Player contract. Colyn has agreed to a multi-year contact with options through 2022.

“It’s great to have another local boy come through the system,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “Simon has done very well with the Residency program and showed no fear when he came into the first-team group in preseason. His work ethic and temperament are spot on and I see something in him that I don’t see in many young players. Simon has earned this opportunity, but this is the first step on the ladder. The hard work starts now.”

Whitecaps FC attacking midfielder Simon Colyn

Product of Langley United YSA and Surrey United SC before joining Whitecaps FC Residency in 2016

15th youngest player in league history to sign an MLS contract, sixth player from his 2002-born age group to earn an MLS contract

First-team preseason camp participant this past winter

Has 15 goals in 21 appearances for the WFC Residency U-17 and U-19 teams this year in the Development Academy leagues

One of three local players from the club’s development system signed to MLS Homegrown contracts in the past five months

“I want to thank all the Whitecaps staff, my coaches at Surrey United and Langley United, and of course my family for helping me get to this point,” added Colyn. “This means a lot to me. I grew up watching the Whitecaps and now I’ve made my steps up the ladder with Residency. I know this is only the beginning and I’m very excited to get going and prove myself to the coaches.”

Would you and your family be interested in billeting a Whitecaps FC player? Find out more information and apply at whitecapsfc.com/billet.

With Colyn, Sean Melvin and David Norman Jr., Whitecaps FC now have signed three British Columbian born players from the club’s development system to MLS Homegrown Player contracts in the past five months. Colyn, Norman, plus fellow Homegrown Player Alphonso Davies, gives the ’Caps three teenagers on their first-team roster. Colyn is the 16th Homegrown Player to sign a first team contract with Whitecaps FC.

Colyn, who turned 16 last month, becomes the 15th youngest player in league history to sign an MLS contract. He joins the first team after participating in their preseason camp this winter, tallying an assist in three substitute appearances.

The Langley, BC native is enjoying a successful first season in the US Soccer Development Academy (DA) U-17 and U-19 divisions. Beginning the year with the U-17s, Colyn scored 10 goals in 15 appearances and most recently with the U-19s, he’s scored five goals in six appearances.

At the international level, Colyn made his Canadian youth program debut in 2017 at the U-15 identification camp under coach Rob Gale.

In his youth, Colyn developed with Langley United YSA and Surrey United SC in the BC Soccer Premier League before joining Whitecaps FC Residency in 2016. Additionally, Colyn was also part of the BC Soccer Provincial Program.

TRANSACTION: Attacking midfielder Simon Colyn signs a multi-year contract with options through 2022 on Thursday, April 19, 2018

Simon Colyn

Pronunciation: coh-LINE

Position: Attacking midfielder

Height: 5-09

Weight: 145

Date of Birth: March 23, 2002 in Langley, BC

Hometown: Langley, BC

Citizenship: Canada, Netherlands

Status: Homegrown, Domestic

Last Club: Whitecaps FC Residency U-17 & U-19 (USSDA 2017-18)

Instagram: @simoncolyn