VANCOUVER, B.C. – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 announced on Friday that the club has signed midfielder Patrick Metcalfe from the club’s Residency program to a professional contract.

"Patrick’s journey is a great story and inspiration for kids who may be waiting for their chance,” said WFC2 head coach Rich Fagan. “He came on our radar towards the end of his youth career after playing at Fusion FC in our partner league with BC Soccer, the BCSPL. We could tell he had something right away, so we offered him a spot in the Residency program. Full credit to Patrick for taking the opportunity and making the most of it.”

The 18-year-old was on the bench last weekend as an Academy call-up for WFC2 in their 1-0 road win at Portland Timbers 2.

Metcalfe becomes the eighth player signed to a professional contract with WFC2 from the 2015-16 U-18 Residency team that played in last year’s Development Academy Championship final – a team led by current WFC2 head coach Rich Fagan.

The native of Richmond, BC joined the Residency program just over one year ago in March of 2016. In his first season with the U-18 team in the Development Academy, Metcalfe scored one goal and started seven of his 13 appearances, including the academy championship final. During the current academy season, the 6-foot central midfielder has started 21 of his 25 appearances for the Northwest Division-leading U-18s, scoring two goals.

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Prior to joining the Residency program, Metcalfe played with Fusion FC from U-14 to U-18 in the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL) and was voted MVP at the U-17 level and named captain at the U-18 level. At Fusion FC he was coached by former Whitecaps FC players Srdjan Djekanovic and Alex Elliott, with former ‘Caps player Jason Jordan leading the club as technical director. From U-7 to U-14, Metcalfe played with Richmond FC, including winning a BC Soccer provincial championship at the U-13 level.