Vancouver FC Adds Mael Henry

As predicted by Patrice Bernier earlier this month, free agent midfielder Mael Henry has landed in the Canadian Premier League.

The 18-year-old has signed on with Vancouver FC after departing from the CF Montreal reserve side and undergoing trials with FC Loriente, AJ Auxerre, and Stade Malherbe Caen.

“I look forward to the opportunity to compete for first-team action in Vancouver’s first season,” said Henry. “I am grateful to the club and to the league for giving me a place to continue to develop on home soil.”

The youngster play as both an attacking midfielder or a centre-back, carving out five goals in 15 matches with the PLSQ-based CF Montreal reserves last year. He began his youth career with CS Boucaniers before eventually being recruited by CF Montreal Academy.

He featured for the Canada U-20 team at the Concacaf Men’s U-20 Championship last summer, appearing as a late substitute against the USA and Saint Kitts and Nevis, scoring against the latter in the late stages of the match:

Described by former CF Montreal U-23 academy coach Nicholas Gagnon as a ‘pure playermaker who is capable of setting the table for his teammates’, he’s proven to be one of the most astute passers within the club’s academy – though he’s got an eye for goal, too.

He’s also described as a player who ‘referees will remember’, suggesting that the young midfielder still has a few lessons in controlling his emotions on the picture.

The Canadian Premier League’s newest team also confirmed the loan arrival of Club Puebla youngster Cristian Mares.

“Mael and Cristian are both young players with lots of potential,” added head coach Afshin Ghotb. “I look forward to putting them both in the best situations to challenge them and continue their development this season.”

The length or financial details of Mael’s contract with Vancouver FC were not disclosed by the club.