Bernie Ibini

Contract terminated with Vancouver on August 8, 2018.

Ibini is an exciting player with great upside. He's big, powerful, and can play as a wide player or as a center forward. After a couple loan spells in Australia, the Nigerian-born attacker showed flashes of brilliance in 2017 and will look to carve out more time with the Whitecaps this year.

• WhitecapsFC.com: Ibini's profile

INTERNATIONAL: The 6-foot-2 forward represented Australia in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, before making his debut for his adopted country's senior national team in a pair of friendlies in 2014.

OUTSIDE MLS: Ibini just finished his second loan spell with Australian A-League side Sydney FC, scoring three goals in 20 appearances across all competitions in 2016-17; helping the Sky Blues win both the league and playoffs. Ibini was on loan from Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge KV, whom he joined in June 2015. He did not play any games with the Blauw-Zwart (Blue-Black), however, after suffering a broken leg in his first preseason with the European club. Ibini began his football career with semi-professional New South Wales Premier League club Blacktown City FC. In 2009, he signed with Central Coast, initially on their youth side before making his senior debut in February 2010 at the age of 17. During his five seasons with Central Coast, Ibini recorded 21 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, which included 14 appearances in the Asian Champions League from 2009 through 2014, and contributed to his team's 2011-12 A-League regular season title and 2013 A-League championship. The right winger, who can also line up on the opposite side or at centre-forward, signed with Shanghai Dongya FC (now known as Shanghai SIPG FC) in 2013; made 10 appearances in the Chinese Super League and started one Chinese FA Cup match. The following season, Ibini was then loaned back to his former A-League side Central Coast Mariners FC, scoring six goals in 16 appearances in 2013-14. During his first loan stint with his hometown club Sydney FC, Ibini tallied seven goals and added two assists while starting in all 28 of his appearances, helping Sydney to a runner-up finish in both the league and playoffs during the 2014-15 season.