VANCOUVER, B.C. – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 announced on Friday the addition of defender/midfielder Andy Thoma for the 2017 USL season, pending receipt of his international transfer certificate, and league and federation approval.

“Andy is a talented left-sided player who can play fullback or winger,” said WFC2 Head Coach Rich Fagan. “He is a strong 1v1 defender, possesses great speed and can deliver a strong cross in the attack. We’re delighted to welcome him to the team.”

The 23-year-old Thoma arrives in Vancouver after spending the first two years of his professional career with the Portland Timbers. Selected by the Cascadia club in the second round (24th overall) of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, he started 36 of his 42 appearances while on loan to the Portland Timbers 2 in the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The 5-foot-11 player also made one Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup appearance for T2, playing all 120 minutes in their overtime matchup against Seattle Sounders FC 2 in the 2015 tournament.

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Prior to joining Portland, Thoma played four years of college soccer at the University of Washington, making 80 appearances for the Huskies, where he tallied one goal and seven assists. Thoma was teammates with Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Spencer Richey on the Huskies team that won the 2013 Pac-12 Conference championship. Following his senior year in 2014, Thoma was named to the All-Far West Region First Team, All-Pac-12 Second Team, and NSCAA All-American Third Team.

In between his college seasons, Thoma played for Washington Crossfire SC from 2012 to 2014 in the Premier Development League, notching two goals.