VANCOUVER, BC – Jordyn Huitema, a four-year product of the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Super REX program in partnership with BC Soccer, signed a professional contract with France’s Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Friday.

“For me, Whitecaps FC opened up so many opportunities,” said Huitema. “They brought me in at a young age and put in so much time and effort with my development and my teammates development. It was just a great environment for any young kid. Even now, the club still shows a lot of support even though I have moved into a different environment. I always know that when I’m back they’ll always welcome me with open arms.”

Huitema becomes the first women's graduate of the Whitecaps BMO Academy System to sign a professional contract directly out of secondary school.

More from @JordynHuitema on blazing a new trail for future women's soccer players in Canada 🇨🇦



Read the full story: https://t.co/SQ05CdXzmy pic.twitter.com/zTlK7Qh4rP — Whitecaps GE REX (@WFCElite) May 17, 2019

“Jordyn going and playing for PSG is a huge moment for her, an exciting moment,” said Rhian Wilkinson, Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Super REX head coach. “It’s a testament to her as a person. She is learning to be a professional player from a very young age. I'm excited to watch what she does for PSG, now and in the future.”

Huitema signs with PSG after previously playing with the club as a guest player during the 2018 Women’s International Champions Cup this past July.

The native of Chilliwack, BC first joined the Whitecaps FC and BC Soccer REX program in January of 2015 after previously playing with Surrey United SC in the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL). In 2017, she was named Whitecaps FC Most Promising Player.

On Saturday, Huitema will be a part of Canada's women's national team during their send-off match to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France as they host Mexico in Toronto. Last year Huitema was awarded Canada Soccer’s 2018 Youth International Player of the Year award, after being named U-17 Player of the Year in 2017 – a season in which she became the first player to score for Canada’s U-17, U-20, and senior women’s national teams in the same calendar year. This past fall she captained Canada to a fourth place finish at the 2018 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

For more information on the Whitecaps FC and BC Soccer Girls Elite Super REX program, visit whitecapsfc.com/rex.