MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps FC Add Scottish International Striker Kenny Miller

Published on July 16, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the acquisition of Scottish international striker Kenny Miller as the club's newest Designated Player - pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Whitecaps FC striker Kenny Miller

- Scotland's national team captain

- Tied for sixth overall in total goals scored in all of Europe during the 2010-11 season with 26 goals

- One of only five post World War II players to have played for both Old Firm giants Rangers FC and Celtic FC

- Won Scottish Premier League, Scottish FA Cup, and Scottish League Cup titles with Rangers and Celtic

- Scored 187 goals in 547 career club matches

- Arrived in Vancouver on Sunday, July 15, and will join his teammates in today's training session

"We're delighted to bring an experienced striker like Kenny to our club," said Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie. "He has been a proven goalscorer with big clubs in Scotland and played in the England Premier League. His speed, energy, and work rate will be a valuable asset to our club, as we look to have a strong second half of the season in MLS."

A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, Miller has scored 16 goals in 60 international appearances for his country, with his international debut coming in a 1-1 friendly draw in Poland on April 25, 2001. His appearances for Scotland include the qualifying campaigns for the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2004, 2008, and 2012 UEFA European Football Championship. Miller has also served as Scotland captain during his international career.

"I'm delighted to be making this move to Major League Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps FC," said Miller. "I have heard many great things about the club and the city of Vancouver, and have been impressed by the standard of MLS. To have the chance to continue my career in North America with Whitecaps FC is a fantastic opportunity for me and my family."

Miller, 32, joins Whitecaps FC after spending the 2011-12 English League Championship season with Cardiff City FC - whom he joined in July 2011 following a short spell in Turkey with Bursaspor. The striker led the Welsh-based club to the end-of-season promotion playoffs after a sixth-place finish in the English League Championship standings before falling to eventual playoff winners West Ham United FC. In his lone season with The Bluebirds, Miller scored 11 goals in 50 total appearances.

Starting his career with hometown club Hibernian FC, Miller has the unique distinction to have played for both of Scotland's Old Firm clubs. This included two spells with Rangers FC, where he scored 67 goals in 145 total appearances. In his second spell with the Glasgow-based outfit, Miller won three consecutive Scottish Premier League titles, as well as a Scottish FA Cup and a Scottish League Cup title. As a member of Celtic FC during the 2006-07 season, Miller won both the Scottish Premier League and Scottish FA Cup titles after scoring 11 goals in 46 total appearances.

Miller's career also includes five seasons in England with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC from 2001 to 2006. The striker scored 63 goals in 191 total appearances for Wolves, having led them to English Premier League promotion for the 2003-04season as winners of the 2002-03 English League Championship playoffs. Miller also had a spell with Derby County FC, where he scored six goals in 33 total appearances during the 2007-08 English Premier League season.

Kenny Miller

Position: Striker

Height: 5-10

Weight: 150 pounds

Born: December 23, 1979, in Edinburgh, Scotland

Hometown: Edinburgh, Scotland

Citizenship: Scotland

Status: International Designated Player

Previous Club: Cardiff City FC (English League Championship)

How Acquired: Acquired from Cardiff City FC on July 16, 2012

Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS RS 8-6-6) are back at BC Place this week with two important Western Conference matches. On Wednesday, July 18, at 7 p.m. PT, Whitecaps FC host defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy (MLS RS 8-10-2) - TV: TSN2, RADIO: TEAM 1410 - teamradio.ca, MOBILE: bell.ca/mobiletv. Four days later, on Sunday, July 22, at 4pm, Vancouver kicks off against Western Conference leading San Jose Earthquakes (MLS RS 12-4-4) - TV: Sportsnet Pacific, RADIO: TEAM 1410 - teamradio.ca, ONLINE: live.mlssoccer.com, MOBILE: bell.ca/mobiletv. For information on match tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets or call 604.669.9283 ext 3.

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