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FC Edmonton Announces Signings of Three Academy Graduates

February 15, 2019 - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
FC Edmonton News Release


Edmonton, AB - FC Edmonton is pleased to announce the signing of three Academy products to their First Team. David Doe, Prince Amanda, and Marcus Velado- Tsegaye have all inked contracts to join the main squad ahead of the inaugural Canadian Premier League season. All three have been a part of Canada Soccer youth identification camps in the past.

Doe, 19, will be signing his second professional contract, after having joined FC Edmonton late in the 2017 North American Soccer League season. Doe made his pro debut on October 6, 2017, as a substitute against Jacksonville Armada at Clarke Stadium. The forward would make four appearances totalling 33 minutes. Doe moved to Edmonton at the age of ten from Monrovia, Liberia, and played for St. Albert Impact and Edmonton Juventus as a youth before joining the Academy in 2015. Doe also spent the 2018 season playing for the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference, leading the Ooks with 22 points in ten matches.

"It's an honour to be able to play in front of my family and friends," said Doe. "For a young Canadian, that's really all you can ask for."

"Today we are signing David Doe 2.0," said Paulus. "He came into our U-20 program and, quite simply, earned a first team contract. His attitude in training, work rate and transition play has made it impossible for us not to sign him."

Amanda, 17, is signing his first pro contract after joining the Academy in 2015. The winger was a crucial part of the Academy winning the Edmonton & District Soccer Association Men's Premier Division and Alberta Men's Premier Provincials this past summer. Amanda was born in Tanzania, moving to Edmonton seven years ago. He played his youth football with Sherwood Park Phoenix and Xtreme FC.

"FC Edmonton has always been the place for me to really thrive in my passion for soccer and I can't wait to show Edmonton that we are number one in Canada," said Amanda. "Words can't describe the feeling and the honour of signing a professional contract, especially at my age."

"Prince is a player who offers a lot of flexibility, as he can honestly play anywhere on the pitch," Paulus said. "Prince brings pace, power and a keen desire to take guys on, which is a trait often missing in young Canadian players."

Velado-Tsegaye, 17, is also signing his first professional deal. The winger also won the league- provincial double with the Academy in the summer of 2018, finishing third in the EDSA Premier Division in goals with 11. The Edmonton native played his youth football with Xtreme FC, Edmonton Drillers, and Edmonton Victoria, before joining the Academy in 2016.

"This is something I have been dreaming about since the age of five when I first started playing football," said Velado-Tsegaye. "To be given an opportunity to further develop as a player at home is something most athletes don't get the chance to do, which is why it's so exciting for me."

"Marcus has lightning-quick pace, very good movement off the ball and always looks to break the line," said Paulus. "We were all given a glimpse of his incredible potential in the second leg of the Al Classico, when he cut inside and beat Marco Carducci far post. Marcus has an opportunity to make a real impact in year one."

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