VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that three players from the club have been signed to USL contracts with new affiliate Fresno FC, pending league and federation approval. The trio includes goalkeeper – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Thursday that three players from the club have been signed to USL contracts with new affiliate Fresno FC, pending league and federation approval. The trio includes goalkeeper Sean Melvin , midfielder Matthew Baldisimo , and striker Terran Campbell . All three players graduated from the Whitecaps FC Residency program and made their professional debuts in USL with Whitecaps FC 2.

“Playing with Fresno FC will be a great opportunity for Sean, Matthew, and Terran,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “This will be a highly competitive and challenging environment for them under coach Adam Smith. Our staff in Vancouver will be tracking their progression closely.”

Melvin, 23, has made 20 USL appearances over his first two professional seasons. In total he has amassed 80 saves and four clean sheets, while twice being named to the USL Team of the Week in 2017. The native of Victoria, BC made his senior international debut with Canada in January during a 4-2 friendly win over Bermuda.

Baldisimo, 19, has started 23 of his 42 USL appearances over the past two seasons. The Burnaby, BC native led WFC2 with 61 tackles in 2017. On the international level, Baldisimo has represented Canada at the U-15 and U-16 levels, and captained his country at the 2015 CONCACAF U-17 Championship tournament in Honduras.

Campbell, 19, will enter his fourth USL season in 2018, and third full season. After making his debut late in 2015, the Whitecaps FC Residency graduate has gone on to start 21 of his 34 professional appearances in USL. This past year the Burnaby, BC native contributed three goals and three assists. For his country, Campbell has represented Canada at both the U-15 and U-17 national team levels.

The club also confirmed on Thursday that the following 2017 players will not be returning as part of the 2018 USL structure: Gloire Amanda, Danny Barbir, Nazeem Bartman, Kadin Chung, Francis de Vries, Thomas Gardner, Patrick Metcalfe, Thomas Sanner, Chris Serban, Will Seymore, Andy Thoma, Mark Village, and Dominick Zator.

Whitecaps FC will maintain MLS Homegrown player rights on Amanda, Chung, Gardner, Metcalfe, and Serban. Both Amanda and Gardner are evaluating collegiate options, Metcalfe has joined the UBC men’s soccer team, and Chung is pursuing opportunities abroad. Among the other departing players: de Vries has signed with Canterbury United in his native New Zealand, and Seymore and Village have signed with USL side FC Cincinnati.

“We’d like to thank all players who are moving on for their dedication and commitment while at the club,” added Robinson. “We wish them nothing but the best for the future.”

For more information on the USL affiliation with Fresno FC, visit whitecapsfc.com/usl.