FC Edmonton added to its youth contingent on Wednesday, announcing the signing of a pair of under-21 midfielders from the Vancouver Whitecaps academy program.

Chance Carter and Anthony Caceres, both Edmonton natives, come with several years of experience in the ‘Caps youth system, each making their way to Vancouver after spending years in FC Edmonton’s academy.

Carter, 18 years old, joined Vancouver’s residency program in 2017. He played for Vancouver at several youth levels, and he toured with the ‘Caps first team for pre-season in both 2018 and 2019.

“Chance offers a rare breed of power, dribbling ability, and defending with an impressive left foot who can launch an attack from deep positions,” Eddies coach Jeff Paulus said.

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Caceres, a year older than Carter, had been with the Whitecaps since 2016. He also earned national team attention in 2014, earning a call up to Canada’s U-15 identification camp. Caceres trained with the Eddies’ first team during the 2019 Fall season.

“I would describe Anthony as technical player who loves to dribble at defenders and reads the game very well and plays with an edge,” Paulus said.

The Eddies boss added: “In signing these two young players, we feel that we have taken an important step in not only providing competition for places right away but also ensuring the club’s future. Each player, having come through local clubs, our own academy, and then the Whitecaps residency program will excite our supporters with their brand of football.”

Carter and Caceres are the 18th and 19th players to be added to FC Edmonton’s 2020 roster, 14 members of the inaugural squad returning, plus newcomers Hanson Boakai, Duran Lee, and Erik Zetterberg.

The Eddies now have six under-21 players signed for the upcoming season.