MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps FC Add Four More to MLS Side

Published on March 17, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that midfielders Russell Teibert and Alexandre Morfaw, striker Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo, and centre back Michael Boxall have all been signed to the club's Major League Soccer roster. Per club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

Teibert, 18, joins Vancouver's MLS roster after signing a 'Generation adidas' contract with MLS. The native of Niagara Falls, Ontario, also becomes the club's fourth homegrown player signing after goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre and midfielders Philippe Davies and Nizar Khalfan. At 17 years and 221 days, Teibert became the 10th youngest player to appear in a competitive match for the Whitecaps FC first team when he played the first half of a 2-2 away draw versus Carolina RailHawks in the USSF D-2 Pro League on July 31, 2010. Named Canadian U-17 Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009, Teibert has been part of Whitecaps FC since September 10, 2008, when he became a member of the club's Residency program. The 5-foot-7, 145-pound winger has also represented Canada at the youth international level. He appeared for his country at the 2009 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Tijuana, Mexico, before earning recent call-ups to Canada's U-20 and U-23 Olympic teams.

"It's a great feeling to be signed by this great club. Vancouver is like a hometown to me," said Teibert. "The Whitecaps have helped me grow as a player since I arrived here in 2008, so it's exciting for myself to break through to the first team."

Morfaw, 23, becomes part of Vancouver's MLS roster after making six USSF D-2 Pro League appearances for Whitecaps FC last season, having initially joined the club on August 10, 2010. Prior to his spell with the 'Caps, the native of Douala, Cameroon, spent two seasons with Sweden's Bodens Bandyklubb (Bodens BK), where he helped the northern Swedish outfit earn promotion to the third-tier Division 1 Norra for the 2010 season. A product of French side FC Nantes, the 5-foot-9, 165-pound midfielder had a spell with Scunthorpe United FC during the 2007-08 English Football League Championship campaign. Morfaw has also represented Cameroon at the U-17, U-20, and U-23 international level. This included the 2007 African Youth Championship with Cameroon's U-20 squad, as well as the U-23 Indomitable Lions' successful qualification for the 2008 Men's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing, China.

"I feel very honoured to be part of this new team in MLS, as they have put their trust in me," said Morfaw. "For all they have done for me, I hope to give back to Whitecaps FC by performing well on the pitch this season."

Camilo, 22, joins Whitecaps FC following a successful trial with Teitur Thordarson's side. A native of Presidente Prudente, Brazil, the striker played for Oeste Paulista Esporte Club and Sport Club Corinthians Alagoano in his home country before moving to Europe, where he had a very successful spell in Malta with Qormi FC. During the 2009-10 season, Camilo was the top scorer in both the Maltese Premier League (24 goals) and Maltese FA Trophy (six goals). The Brazilian's contributions helped Qormi FC reach the Maltese FA Trophy final that season. Last July, Camilo made the switch to the Far East when he joined Gyeongnam FC in South Korea's Professional Football League (K-League). The striker made seven appearances for the Gyeongnam FC first team and had six goals in seven appearances for the club's 'B' team.

"I am very happy to join Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer," said Camilo. "Having had the chance to play in Europe and Asia, I now look forward to the challenge of playing at the highest level in North America."

Boxall, 22, joined Whitecaps FC after being the top pick in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft on January 18. The native of Auckland, New Zealand, enjoyed four seasons in NCAA Division I with the University of California, Santa Barbara. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defender started 75 of his 78 appearances for the Gauchos, scoring one goal and adding five assists. Boxall has also represented New Zealand at the U-20, U-23, and senior international levels, with the defender earning a recent call-up to the full All Whites squad. He made two appearances for New Zealand 'A' during the 2006 Agribank Cup in Vietnam and two starts for New Zealand U-23's during the 2008 Men's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing, China. Boxall also made three starts for the All Whites during the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.

"I'm very excited to put pen to paper with the club, as it's been a very good preseason for me," said Boxall. "Even getting to know the supporters of the club at the Cascadia Summit was a great experience. I hope to continue developing from my time in college and make a contribution to the Whitecaps."

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