Cavalry Adds Dutch Defender Bradley Vliet

Cavalry FC is loving its Dutch defenders.

The Alberta-based side has signed left-back Bradley Vliet to a full contract, bringing in an international replacement for Tom Field after the Englishman suffered a significant preseason knee injury that required surgery.

The Rotterdam-born Vliet, 24, arrives after developing through the top Dutch youth systems of Feyenoord, Sparta Rotterdam, and NAC Breda. While he cracked the senior roster at NAC, he never made a top flight debut and inked a deal in the second division with SC Cambuur in 2019 after trialing with top flight side RKC Waalwijk.

While he played at the reserve level for Cambuur, a first team debut would prove elusive: 2019 saw him trial with SC Telstar before becoming the first Dutch athlete to sign with Croatian side NK Lokomotiva, though he wouldn’t get senior minutes there either. He trialed with ADO Den Haag after that, eventually landing with Dutch second division side FC Dordrecht in 2020.

Vliet would go on to make 28 appearances for the second division side, but is now ready to test himself abroad again with a new opportunity in the Canadian Premier League.

“I’m happy to be playing with Cavalry FC,” he said of the move. “I’m looking forward to meeting my new teammates, everybody from the club, and the fans. I can’t wait to be on the field and have a great season.”

Cavalry gaffer Tommy Wheeldon Jr. describes him as a dynamic defender who adds plenty of pace and drive for the club’s left flank. The club has forged on with a three-at-the-back formation without a natural left-back, with Ben Fisk dropping deep on the left flank. With the club kicking off its season with two losses and a draw, it’s fair to say that Vliet will be a welcome addition at the back.

He becomes the fourth Dutch athlete in the league, joining Daan Klomp at Spruce Meadows whilst Pacific FC have Gianni Dos Santos and Djenairo Daniels on the books.

Cavalry FC is set to enjoy a high-profile home opener against Pacific FC today, with the occasion marked by the return of Marco Carducci for the first time following his cancer diagnosis and surgery.

In a twist of fate, Pacific left-back Nathan Mavila had discussed a potential return to Spruce Meadows in the offseason, but signed with Pacific instead since Cavalry had already locked Tom Field to a multi-year deal. The Alberta-based side also secured the return of young striker Aribim Pepple earlier this week.

The details of Vliet’s contract with Cavalry FC were not disclosed by the club.