Vancouver FC today announced on Saturday the signings of midfielder Thomas Powell and forward Sebastian Dzikowski, two products of the British Columbia university soccer system, to the club’s developmental roster for 2024.
Both players join VFC on Canadian Premier League (CPL)-U SPORTS contract, which allows them the opportunity to gain valuable experience by training and competing in VFC’s professional environment without losing their U SPORTS eligibility. The 2024 CPL season marks the first time the league has included U SPORTS players on a club’s developmental roster rather than its master roster, further incentivizing clubs to maximize their player pool by bringing in U SPORTS players that do not count toward a club’s overall player compensation budget.
Powell, 22, was selected by Vancouver out of Trinity Western University (TWU) with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 CPL-U SPORTS Draft last December. Dzikowski, 22, who played his university soccer at the University of British Columbia (UBC), was not selected in last fall’s draft but is eligible for a CPL- U SPORTS Contract by virtue of declaring for the draft proceedings.
“We are very excited to offer U SPORT contracts for the second year in a row,” said Afshin Ghotbi, Head Coach, Vancouver FC. “These types of opportunities are important stepping stones in the development of Canada’s soccer landscape and we are very proud to provide these players with professional experience this season.”
Powell, a native of Coquitlam, B.C., completed his third year at TWU in 2023. He started in all 16 games for the Spartans, scoring four goals, registering four assists and earning a nod as a Canada West (CW)’s First Team All-Star. In his three seasons with TWU, Powell has scored 10 goals and logged nine assists in 44 appearances.
“After three years at TWU, I am very excited to sign a professional contract with my hometown team,” said Powell. “I am looking forward to developing my skills in this professional environment and committed to doing what I can both on and off the field to help the club.”
Powell also competed in League1 BC for Unity FC in 2023, making 11 appearances and scoring two goals. The midfielder is one of several current VFC players, including Kadin Chung, Anthony White, and David Norman, who previously represented Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club in the B.C. Soccer Premier League (BCSPL) as a youth player.
“Thomas has impressed us with his football IQ, vision, and consistency this pre-season,” said Ghotbi. “We look forward to seeing his continual development and contributions as a U SPORTS athlete at VFC.”
Dzikowski is coming off a record-setting season with UBC after scoring 15 goals in CW regular season play, breaking the program’s previous single-season record set by Craig Chiasson in 1994 for most regular season goals. The forward also set a new single-season conference record with 43 shots on target. He scored at least once in ten of UBC’s 16 regular season matches.
“I am thrilled to be joining Vancouver FC for my first professional contract,” said Dzikowski. “I believe something very special is being built here and I can’t wait to develop my skills and contribute to the team. I am very excited to see how much I can grow as a footballer in this extraordinary environment.”
Dzikowski went on to tally another four goals in UBC’s post-season and help the Thunderbirds to a bronze medal in the national championship. Dzikowski’s performance earned him top honours as he was named the CW’s Men’s Soccer Player of the Year for 2023 and won the Joe Johnson Memorial Trophy recognizing the U SPORTS Men’s Soccer Player of the Year for 2023.
“Sebastian is a natural goalscorer and has been one of the top scorers in pre-season games for VFC,” said Ghotbi. “His work ethic, physical power, precision, and concentration in the danger areas makes him an interesting profile for the 2024 CPL season.”
Hailing from Calgary, Atla., Dzikowski previously represented the Cavalry Villains as a youth player and would later suit up for Cavalry FC’s Under-20 side.
Powell and Dzikowski become the sixth and seventh domestic U-21 players to represent Vancouver for the 2024 season and will help the club achieve its league-mandated 2,000 minutes played by domestic under-21 players. He joins defenders Tyler Crawford, Anthony White, and James Cameron; midfielder Grady McDonnell; and forward Taryck ‘TJ’ Tahid on the growing list of eligible players.
Powell also becomes the eleventh B.C.-born player signed to Vancouver’s squad this season, as the club continues to make good on its commitment to provide professional opportunities for local talent. The U SPORTS midfielder joins goalkeeper Callum Irving, defenders Chung, White, James Cameron, Paris Gee and Norman, midfielders Ben Fisk, Grady McDonnell and Zach Verhoven, and forward Taryck ‘TJ’ Tahid as hometown athletes.
Vancouver will kick off its second season in the CPL on Sunday, Apr. 14 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET when the club hosts Dyer’s former team, Valour FC. Tickets to the season opener, and all of Vancouver’s home matches, can be purchased here.
Further Vancouver roster announcements will be made later this month.
Vancouver FC current roster as of Apr. 6, 2024:
Goalkeepers: Callum Irving, Niko Giantsopoulos
Defenders: Kadin Chung, Rocco Romeo, Tyler Crawford, Anthony White, James Cameron, Paris Gee, David Norman, Elage Bah
Midfielders: Elliot Simmons, Ben Fisk, Vasco Fry, Renan Garcia, Grady McDonnell, Kembo Kibato, Zach Verhoven, Thomas Powell*
Forwards: Alejandro ‘Wero’ Díaz, Gabriel Bitar, Taryck ‘TJ’ Tahid, Mikaël Cantave, José Navarro, Moses Dyer, Sebastian Dzikowski*
*U SPORTS contract