Cantave Set For Vancouver FC In Player-Swap

Vancouver FC’s maiden voyage into the Canadian Premier League has seen some rough waters on the pitch, with the club currently rock bottom with the worst goal difference in terms of both goals scored and conceded.

Head coach Afshin Ghotbi has moved quickly to address this, with the club trading young midfielder Mikhael Henry to Cavalry FC in exchange for Canadian-Haitian forward Mikhael Cantave.

The 26-year-old arrives to Willoughby Park on a deal guaranteed through to the end of the season, with 19-year-old attacking midfielder Mael Henry, who made three appearances for VFC, now set to contribute youth minutes in Alberta for some time.

“We would first like to thank Mael for his contribution to Vancouver FC and wish him all the best with his future career,” said Vancouver FC boss Afshin Ghotbi. “We are excited to add quality, experience and a dangerous, goal-scoring winger with the signing of Mikael Cantave.”

Cantave has proven to be an exciting attacker for Cavalry since arriving last season, making 24 league appearances and contributing three goals and two assists in that time.

Get To Know: Mikhael Cantave

Ghotbi describes Cantave, who brings in some international playing experience, as a welcome addition to his young-leaning side. The Canadian-Haitian winger has spent time in the Spanish lower leagues, where he played for nine clubs in five years before plying his trade with Romanian top flight side AFC Chindia Targoviste.

“I’m very excited to start this new adventure with Vancouver FC. This is a unique opportunity to join a young group that is just starting out and I am looking forward to bringing my talents and experience to VFC,” added Cantave himself.

For losing out on the winger, Cavalry – who also see Jose Escalante exiting in a bizarre and as-yet-undetermined fashion – will get Mael Henry, a former CF Montreal Academy standout who has carved just 122 minutes of game time out west in his first pro season.

“Mael is a young player of very high potential,” said Cavalry gaffer Tommy Wheeldon Jr, who explained that the Alberta-based side wanted a long-term source of domestic U-21 minutes. At 19, Henry fits the bill.

“He’s a player that our recruitment department has done a lot of scouting on and feel that he has a high ceiling for us to develop. Mael is a creative player with a strong feel for the ball and intelligent game sense. He likes to connect possession and create opportunities for others, whilst also being clever with his defensive pressing moments.”

Vancouver FC also snuck in a quiet confirmation that it has cut ties with French striker Emmanuel Robe, who had carved out just 106 minutes of game time through five appearances. He becomes the second nixed contract at Vancouver FC after the loan of Cristian Mares failed to stick.

Header Image Photo Credit: Audrey Magny