Two of Vancouver FC’s purposes are to create opportunities for local talent and to develop skilled, young players. The club has upheld both of those pillars with their most recent signing of 16-year-old Squamish, B.C. native, Joey Buchanan.
“We are very proud to have identified a young, talented player from B.C. through our open trails for a second year in a row,” said Afshin Ghotbi, Vancouver’s head coach.
As Ghotbi stated, this marks the second consecutive year that VFC has scouted and signed at least one player from the club’s open trials, which in 2024 were held in March. The likes of North Vancouver’s James Cameron and Maple Ridge’s TJ Tahid were the diamonds in the rough who were discovered through open trials last year and have both gone on to represent Canada at the international youth level.
“Finding players such as Joey proves that there are still many talented gems in the B.C. football community that need pathways, such as combines, to be discovered,” continued Ghotbi.
Buchanan has joined the Eagles on a Development Contract which allows the midfielder to train full time with VFC and appear in up to six Canadian Premier League (CPL) games, all while maintaining his amateur status and roster spot on his current club, Burnaby FC. The youth organization recently established a League1 BC team which will serve as Vancouver’s affiliate club for downward player movement for the 2024 season. Buchanan will hold a roster spot on both the League1 team and Burnaby FC’s B.C. Soccer Premier League (BCSPL) team for 2024.
“Joey immediately showed personality, confidence, and a great presence as a central defender,” said Ghotbi about Buchanan. “We are looking forward to seeing his development throughout this season.”
Buchanan has played for various youth clubs in his young career including with Squamish Youth Soccer Association, former-Mountain FC, and North Vancouver FC. The Howe Sound Secondary student represented Burnaby FC for the 2023 season where he won both the B.C. provincial championship and the Under-17 boys National Championship under head coach Todd May.
In signing with VFC, Buchanan joins a growing list of both domestic under-21 athletes, who are eligible to contribute to Vancouver’s league-mandated 2,000 domestic under-21 minutes tally, and B.C.-born players. Buchanan becomes the eighth and thirteenth player in each of those categories, respectively, gaining valuable, professional experience with his hometown CPL club.
With open trials, pre-season, and kit launches all out of the way, there is only one thing left to come; Vancouver’s home opener! Bring your friends and family to VFC’s home opener on Sunday, April 14 as the Eagles kick off their second CPL season against Valour FC. The match is set for 4 p.m. PT and tickets can be purchased online here or on game day at the Langley Event Centre.
