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Striker Ameer Kinani Extends Stay With Vancouver
By Ameer Kinani had made 17 appearances for Canadian Premier League newcomers Vancouver FC since signing a U SPORTS deal back in March.
The young centre-forward arrived second-overall through the CPL-U SPORTS Draft, turning heads as he found the back of the net in several of the club’s preseason matches. The former League1 Ontario star would fit in well with the side, bagging his first professional goal and assist against reigning champions Forge FC.
As per the terms of a U SPORTS deal, Kinani’s time was due to wrap up in mid-August ahead of an expected return to Toronto Metropolitan University. Instead, he will now remain on his current contract through to the end of the season, forgoing his eligibility to play with Toronto Metro University this season.
“I’m very thankful to everyone [at VFC] for giving me this opportunity to continue my dream and to keep fighting with the boys until the end of the season,” said Kinani. “I’m focusing on the season…to just take it one game at a time and keep working hard.”
The young striker was one we’d said could make the jump to the pro level this year, having produced an astounding 17 goals in L1O with ProStars last year while also tallying seven goals for TMU.
Kinani had also represented Iraq at the youth level, earning a call-up for the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship before joining Spanish Segunda Division B side FC Cartagena for a year and a half.
“Ameer is a born goal scorer, who combines the bravery, intelligence and coolness of an international striker,” said Ghotbi at the time of his signing “He has an eye and nose for the goal, making him an exciting addition to our squad. VFC fans are in for a treat, watching the evolution of a true goal scorer.”
Given that Kinani came on as an added time substitute against Pacific FC on August 19 – four days after he would have been required to exit to maintain his U SPORTS eligibility – we suppose this announcement has been coming.
Header Image Photo Credit: Beau Chevalier / Vancouver FC