VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the addition of two Canadians to the Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) roster for the 2016 United Soccer League season, defender/midfielder Giuliano Frano and striker Daniel Haber – pending receipt of their international transfer certificates. Per club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“We’re excited to add Daniel and Giuliano to what is already a very competitive group,” said WFC2 head coach Alan Koch. “These are two talented young Canadians, one with three years of experience in Europe and the other with a year in the USL under his belt. Both players strengthen our roster as we head in to our second season.”

WFC2 defender/midfielder Giuliano Frano

Started 22 of his 25 USL appearances for Sounders FC 2 in 2015, scoring two goals (both match-winners)

Started all 34 matches in his two years at Boston College, leading the Golden Eagles with four goals as a junior in 2013

Teammates with WFC2 defender Jackson Farmer on Canada’s U-23 men’s national team at the 2015 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship

Frano, 22, is coming off a productive first professional season with USL rivals Seattle Sounders FC 2. The native of Mississauga, Ontario started 22 of his 25 league appearances in 2015 and scored two goals (both match-winners). His 2,073 minutes played were good for third most on the team among field players.

Frano scores the winner for Seattle over Portland

The 5-foot-11 Canadian also made three starts for S2 in the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, recording an assist in a 2-1 defeat at MLS side Real Salt Lake.

Prior to joining the professional ranks last year, Frano started all 34 games in his two years playing NCAA Division I soccer at Boston College, where he led the Golden Eagles with four goals as a junior in 2013. In his two years before transferring to Boston College, Frano played at NCAA Division II University of Montevallo in Alabama, where he started 31 of the 40 games he appeared in for the Falcons.

At the international level, the Mississauga, Ontario native started one of his two appearances for Canada’s U-23 men’s national team at the 2015 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship in October. Among his teammates on that team was current WFC2 defender Jackson Farmer.

WFC2 striker Daniel Haber

Five appearances for Canadian senior men’s national team

Three years of professional experience playing in Israel and Cyprus

In college, named first-team All-American, Ivy League Player of the Year, and a Hermann Trophy finalist after tallying 18 goals and seven assists as a junior for Cornell

Haber, 23, joins WFC2 after spending 2015 with Hapoel Nir Ramat HaSharon FC of Liga Leumit, the second division of professional soccer in Israel. During his lone season with Hapoel, he started nine of his 17 appearances while scoring five goals, tied for third on the team. Haber also played in Israel in 2013, beginning his professional career with top tier Maccabi Haifa FC of Ligat Ha’al, scoring two goals in four appearances.

The 5-foot-10 striker also spent three years at Apollon Limassol of the Cypriot First Division, starting three of his 18 league appearances and scoring three goals. The Canadian made four appearances in the 2013-14 UEFA Europa League, and scored one goal in three appearances in the 2013-14 Cypriot Cup. In the 2014-15 season, he went on loan to fellow Cypriot First Division club Ayia Napa, scoring three goals and starting 26 of his 30 appearances.

Haber scores the winner for Maccabi Haifa

In his collegiate career, Haber played three seasons for the Cornell University Big Red in the Ivy League, an NCAA Division I school. In his final campaign in 2012, Haber was named first-team All-American, Ivy League Player of the Year, and a Hermann Trophy finalist after tallying 18 goals and seven assists in conference play, and leading the country in points-per-game and goals-per-game averages.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Haber has made five appearances for the Canadian senior men’s national team, making his debut on May 28, 2013 versus Costa Rica, who featured Whitecaps FC defenders Jordan Smith and Kendall Waston. He also suited up for Canada alongside Whitecaps FC midfielder Russell Teibert and WFC2 defender Jackson Farmer in a scoreless draw against Mauritania on September 8, 2013.

Giuliano Frano

Position: Defender/Midfielder

Height: 5-11

Weight: 163

Date of Birth: May 16, 1993

Place of Birth: Mississauga, Ontario

Citizenship: Canada

Status: Domestic

Last Club: Seattle Sounders FC 2 (USL)

Daniel Haber

Position: Striker

Height: 5-10

Weight: 165

Date of Birth: May 20, 1992

Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario

Citizenship: Canada

Status: Domestic

Last Club: Hapoel Nir Ramat HaSharon FC (Liga Leumit – Israel)