Whitecaps Sign Djekanovic And Forko
Published on February 28, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the signings of goalkeeper Srdjan âSerge' Djekanovic and defender Willis Forko. Djekanovic and Forko have both agreed to one-year contracts.
Djekanovic, 25, returns to the Whitecaps after playing the majority of 2007 with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). While in Toronto, the six-foot-one, 195-pound goalkeeper played in eight games, including seven starts. He recorded two wins, three losses and two ties and posted 1.28 goals-against-average. This included two shutouts in 635 minutes of play.
Djekanovic, who was transferred to Toronto FC last April, played the previous two seasons in Vancouver. Although Djekanovic never played a regular season match for the Whitecaps, he made an appearance in the âCaps 3-0 international friendly win over English Premier League side Sunderland in 2005 and the second half of Vancouver's 3-1 victory over India's national team in the Whitecaps Nations Cup in 2006.
Djekanovic was born in Belgrade, Serbia, and played for FK Zemun's youth club before moving to Vancouver in 1995. In Vancouver, he continued his development by playing with the youth teams of Burnaby Selects and Surrey United. In 2003, he made his international debut when he earned two victories with Canada's U-20 national team and in January 2007, the goalkeeper participated in Canada's men's national team training camp in Florida. From 2001 to 2004, Djekanovic played professionally in Serbia for FK Zemun, FK Zmaj Zemun, FK Radnièki Obrenovac and FK Železnièar Belgrade.
Since 2005, Djekanovic has also been the starting keeper for the University of British Columbia men's team. In his freshman year, he led the Thunderbirds to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championship and was named a tournament all-star. Due to commitments with Toronto last year, Djekanovic missed the majority of the 2007 season but he was able to return in time for the championship run. Playing in all five postseason games, Djekanovic helped the T-Birds to their second CIS title in three years. Djekanovic is currently majoring in history with a minor in sociology.
Forko, 24, joins the Whitecaps after playing the last two seasons with Real Salt Lake of MLS. Last year, the five-foot-ten, 167-pound defender started 12 matches for 990 minutes with the Utah-based outfit. In his rookie season, Forko started 26 matches for 2,254 minutes and recorded one assist.
Forko, who was draft in the second round, 14th overall, of the 2006 MLS Supplemental Draft by Real Salt Lake, enjoyed four successful years at the collegiate level. In his freshman year in 2002, the defender played at the University of South Carolina before transferring to the University of Connecticut for his final three seasons. Forko finished his university career with three goals and 15 assists in 85 matches and was twice selected to the All-Big East Third Team. Forko majored in psychology.
Born in Monrovia, Liberia, Forko and his family moved to Houston, Texas, when he was three. He is a member of Liberia's national team player pool.
Vancouver Whitecaps open the 2008 regular season at Swangard Stadium against the Montreal Impact on Saturday, April 12. Season tickets are now on sale, starting at $199. Call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or visit whitecapsfc.com for more information.
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- Whitecaps Sign Djekanovic And Forko - Vancouver Whitecaps
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