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FC Edmonton Selects Thomas Gardner 1st Overall in 2021 CPL U-SPORTS Draft

January 29, 2021 - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
FC Edmonton News Release


EDMONTON, AB - FC Edmonton is pleased to announce Thomas Gardner as the 1st overall draft pick from the 2021 CPL U-SPORTS draft announced on Friday, January 29 during a live presentation.

FC Edmonton had the 1st and 16th draft picks in the two-round draft with eight picks in each round.

Draftees will be invited to FC Edmonton preseason training, with the hopes of securing a 2021 U SPORTS Development Contract for the upcoming season that allows a student-athlete with one to five years of U SPORTS eligibility remaining to sign with a CPL Club, while preserving their eligibility before returning to U SPORTS competition.

The 22-year-old is in his third year at the University of British Columbia, where he is studying Environmental Science. The North Vancouver native developed his skills as a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps, of Major League Soccer (MLS).

Gardner (5'9 and 149 pounds) joined the Whitecaps FC Prospects in 2007 and progressed to the Whitecaps FC Residency in September 2011. He signed his first professional contract with Whitecaps FC 2 (WF2) in the United Soccer League (USL) in August 2015. In September 2015, FC Edmonton Head Coach Alan Koch, then with the Whitecaps, gave Gardner his professional debut in the USL Championship. In February 2016, Gardner made one preseason appearance with the MLS club's first team, playing 10 substitute minutes in the 2-0 win over Portland Timbers. That season he contributed and played in the WF2 club's run to the USL Western Conference Final. In 2017, the midfielder started 17 of his 21 appearances in the USL Championship, making one assist against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros.

"Tommy is a creative player who we know can play and contribute in the CPL", said Koch. "Injury and Covid prevented him from playing in the league previously, and we are excited to welcome him to FC Edmonton. We are excited to integrate him into our team and work with him to take his game to even higher levels. His quality on the ball and desire to be successful are exactly what we are instilling in our training environment."

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