Vancouver FC Signs Left-Back Tyler Crawford To Pro Deal

The roster for the Canadian Premier League’s newest league has now entered the double digits.

Vancouver FC has just announced the signing of 19-year-old left-back Tyler Crawford, who proved a young standout with NCAA Division I side Michigan State University.

Crawford’s debut campaign with the Spartans saw him make 16 appearances, tallying twelve starts and grabbing a sole assist as he accumulated the most minutes out of any freshman with the team.

He now turns professional with Vancouver FC after having developed through the Columbus Crew academy system, where he was named the Academy Player of the Year in 2021.

Having been born in Burlington, Ontario, Crawford will count towards the club’s domestic U-21 minutes, though he was raised in Florida. He’s also on the national team radar, having featured for the Canada U-20 team for two bouts against Costa Rica last April.

“We are excited to welcome one of the most exciting young left backs in North America to Vancouver FC,” stated Vancouver FC head coach Afshin Ghotbi. “Tyler has all the qualities, ambition, and potential to reach the highest level of football. We look forward to helping him reach his football dreams.”

He won’t be the only first-year professional in the team, with Kahlil John-Wentworth (also a left-back) joining from the Simcoe Rovers, and Nathaniel St. Louis also turning pro from from NCAA pastures.

He becomes the second domestic U-21 signing for the club, though they’ve got plenty in that category trialing at the moment.

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