ORLANDO, Fla. (January 5, 2016) - Orlando City SC goalkeeper coach Stewart Kerr has accepted the goalkeeper coach position with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

“Stewart approached us and expressed his intentions to move closer to his family in Canada. He has been an important part of our technical staff, but we respect and understand his decision to put his family first,” Lions General Manager Niki Budalic said. “We thank Stewart for his time with us and wish him the best of luck.”

Kerr joined Orlando City ahead of the 2016 Major League Soccer (MLS) season after three seasons with Toronto FC, where he worked with current Lions goalkeeper Joe Bendik. Under Kerr in Orlando, Bendik posted the second-highest saves total in MLS and won MLS Save of the Week 11 times.

“We are finalizing conversations with a handful of individuals and will have a full-time goalkeeper coach in place by the start of preseason later this month,” Budalic added.

Kerr, who holds a UEFA PRO Goalkeeping License, has coached several top goalkeepers, including former Brazilian international Julio Cesar for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He is also responsible for scouting Canadian international Quillan Roberts as well as Bendik.

As a player, Kerr featured for Scottish powerhouse Celtic FC (1991-2001) and in the English Premier League with Swindon Town (1994) and Wigan Athletic (2001-03)