York United has signed Vancouver Whitecaps defender Matteo Campagna on loan until the end of the 2021 season.

The 17-year-old joined the club’s BMO MLS Academy in 2017 and signed an MLS Homegrown contract earlier this year. Campagna racked up over 50 appearances during his time with VWFC’s underage setup (from U-15 to U-17) and scored once.

The arrangement includes an option for the Major League Soccer side to recall the player.

“Matteo is a player with great upside who continues to develop,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC sporting director, and chief executive officer. “This is his first year of professional soccer after transitioning from the academy level. He now has a great opportunity to earn minutes in a competitive environment. We’re looking forward to tracking his progress.”

While part of the Whitecaps’ Academy, Campagna also represented Canada at the 2019 CONCACAF Boys’ Under-15 Championship and featured in all five of the team’s games – including a memorable quarter-final win over Mexico.

“Matteo is a player that has a huge future and we are really happy that the Whitecaps have trusted us to assist in his development,” says Angus McNab, York United FC’s CEO/President & GM.

“He has been with their first team all season and coming to us gives him the opportunity to pick up valuable minutes between now and the end of the campaign.”

Enforced changes to the York United roster have ensured Campagna’s arrival, with defenders Ryan Lindsay and Felix N’sa both dealing with long-term complaints.

“The ability to secure Matteo’s services comes with some unfortunate news,” McNab confirms.

“We have made some necessary adjustments to our 23-man primary CPL roster. Both Ryan Lindsay and Felix N’Sa have issues that require us to place them on season-ending injury. Felix has been struggling with a back complaint and has not been able to participate in training since before we left for Winnipeg. He needs to use the remainder of 2021 to recover and then will go through a period of intense rehab and stability work to make sure he can take to the field next year. Ryan has an ongoing medical condition that requires further testing and evaluation from his physicians. He will join the squad when his course of treatment is completed but will not be able to participate in the 2021 season.”

Campagna has now been added to the club’s active CPL roster, along with attacking midfielder Sebastián Gutiérrez who made an impressive debut for York United in their resounding Canadian Championship win over Master’s FA last weekend.

York United FC are thrilled to announce the signing of @WhitecapsFC defender Matteo Campagna on loan until the end of the 2021 season.#YorkUnited | #UnitedByYou https://t.co/4T3gkw1nA1

— York United FC (@yorkutdfc) August 24, 2021