David Norman Brings Championship Pedigree Home to Vancouver FC
January 31, 2024 - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Vancouver FC News Release
Langley, BC - Championship defender David Norman returns home to join Vancouver FC's roster on a two-year contract, the club announced on Wednesday.
Norman, 25, becomes the ninth B.C.-born player to join Vancouver's squad this season, continuing the club's mission of providing professional opportunities for local talent. Norman joins goalkeeper Callum Irving, defenders Kadin Chung, Anthony White, James Cameron and Paris Gee, midfielders Ben Fisk and Grady McDonnell, and forward Taryck 'TJ' Tahid as hometown athletes. Four of those nine athletes have joined VFC's ranks in the past month.
"It has taken some time, but we have finally succeeded in returning David Norman to his home," said Afshin Ghotbi, Head Coach, Vancouver FC. "David is tactical, comfortable on the ball, possesses a winning mentality, and will bring stability and consistency to our backline. His maturity both on and off the field will help our transition from an expansion club to a contention team."
Norman is coming off a very successful 2023. He was part of the Northampton Town team that won promotion from League 2 to League 1 in the English Football League (EFL) and he lifted the FAI Cup with St. Patrick's Athletics FC of League of Ireland's Premier Division.
Born in New Westminster and raised in Coquitlam, Norman is the product of a local soccer family that has made a considerable impact on the Vancouver soccer scene for decades. Norman's grandfather was one of the founders of Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club (CMFSC), where current VFC athletes Chung, White, and Gee all played, and he created various soccer development camps throughout the Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley. Norman's father, David Norman Sr., represented the Vancouver Whitecaps over three stints between the 1980s and 1990s, and was a member of the legendary 1986 Canadian men's national team, the first Canadian squad ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.
Under the guidance of family, Norman began his football journey with his grandfather's club, CMFSC, before joining the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency program at the age of nine, where he spent the remainder of his youth career. After playing his freshman season with Oregon State University, Norman signed his first professional contract with Whitecaps FC 2 of the United Soccer League (USL) in 2017. Norman had an outstanding rookie season with WFC2, leading the team in duels won, chances created, and assists, as well as winning WFC2's Player of the Year award. The true homegrown player became the second David Norman to sign for the Whitecaps first team in Dec. 2017 and went on to make one appearance for the senior team in the 2018 Canadian Championship.
While with the Whitecaps, Norman also spent time on loan with Scottish Championship side Queen of the South FC and Pacific FC in the Canadian Premier League. He was traded to David Beckham's then-MLS expansion side, Inter Miami, in September 2019.
Norman returned to the CPL in 2021 as a free agent, this time with Cavalry FC, where he joined VFC teammates Fisk and Elliot Simmons for two seasons. Norman scored one goal and registered one assist in 48 appearances for the Calgary side and was named to Cavalry's leadership team as a co-captain for the 2022 season before moving across the pond to Northampton Town, where he signed and made his debut in March 2023. Norman scored his first goal in the EFL in April and was on the pitch a few weeks later when Northampton secured automatic promotion to League 1 with a 1-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers. He went on to make 15 appearances for St. Pat's in all competitions from July to November, including playing the full 90 minutes in the semi final and championship matches of the FAI Cup.
"It is so fulfilling to be coming home and playing for my hometown team, VFC," said Norman. "Football has taken me across the globe and provided me with incredible opportunities and experiences that I'll cherish forever, but there is something very special about getting to do what I love in front of my friends and family that I couldn't get anywhere else but here."
Internationally, Norman has received nine call-ups and made 16 match appearances for Canada at various youth levels. The Coquitlam native scored his only goal for Canada at his first international tournament, Copa México de Naciones Sub-15, in 2013. Norman most recently played for Canada at the 2020 Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship, where he earned four caps and started in three of the four matches.
Further Vancouver FC roster updates and announcements will be made next month.
Vancouver FC current roster as of Jan. 31, 2024:
Goalkeepers: Callum Irving
Defenders: Kadin Chung, Rocco Romeo, Ibrahim Bakare,Tyler Crawford, Anthony White, James Cameron, Paris Gee, David Norman
Midfielders: Elliot Simmons, Ben Fisk, Vasco Fry, Renan Garcia, Grady McDonnell
Forwards: Alejandro 'Wero' Díaz, Mouhamadou 'Mamadou' Kane, Gabriel Bitar, Taryck 'TJ' Tahid, Mikaël Cantave
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Canadian Premier League Stories from January 31, 2024
- Forge FC Welcome Back Elimane Cissé - Forge FC
- Wanderers Sign Canadian Midfielder Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé Through 2025 Season - HFX Wanderers FC
- David Norman Brings Championship Pedigree Home to Vancouver FC - Vancouver FC
- Forge FC Sign Three Players to Short-Term Contracts - Forge FC
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