TRANSFER TRACKER:Signing
The Vancouver Whitecaps announced on Friday the signing of winger/fullback Georges Mukumbilwa, making the Development Squad talent their 19th Homegrown Player in the club’s MLS history.
Mukumbilwa, 19, has a deal through 2020, with club options lasting through 2023. The Winnipeg product is Vancouver’s third Development Squad player signed this season and was first identified via a partnership between the Manitoba Soccer Association and the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System.
“Georges has worked very hard, has the right mentality, and has earned this opportunity,” said 'Caps head coach Marc Dos Santos in a club release. “Georges is a great example of the vertical integration we have developed at our club. The young man understands today is a positive step forward in his journey and knows there is still a lot of work ahead of him.”
This past winter, Mukumbilwa featured in several preseason matches for Vancouver. He originally joined the Whitecaps’ academy in 2014, having immigrated to Canada as a 13-year-old. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mukumbilwa grew up at a refugee camp in Rwanda.
He was called up by the Canada U-18 national team back in 2016 for friendlies against El Salvador.
“It means a lot to me to sign an MLS contract with this club,” said Mukumbilwa. “I’ve been here for five years and this is what I’ve always wanted. I would like to thank my family for supporting me, all of my academy coaches here at Whitecaps FC for helping me, and coach Vince Scerbo back home in Winnipeg."
