Langford, BC – (April 3, 2024) – Pacific FC today announced the signing of teenage centre midfielder Sami Keshavarz to a development contract ahead of the 2024 Canadian Premier League (CPL) season.

Keshavarz, 17, who previously went by Sami Marvasti, was the youngest player signed by Pacific in 2023. An alum of the Vancouver Island (VI) Wave programs, his signing exemplifies Pacific’s club mandate to both develop local players through its Powered by Pacific programming and provide a pathway to professional opportunities for graduates of the Island’s soccer community. There have been two additional signings from the Wave program including star player Sean Young and Jack Garner who trained with the Tridents last season on a development contract.

“Sami is growing and maturing in our environment and last season was a big year of learning for him,” said James Merriman, Head Coach, Pacific FC. “He is now fighting like everyone else for minutes in all of our preseason matches and the group has confidence in him as he continues to grow into his potential.”

In signing a Development Contract, Keshavarz is eligible to make three appearances for Pacific while maintaining his amateur stats and the ability to train with the amateur team that holds his registration, the VI Wave 2006 Boys team. In any one calendar year, a player may sign a maximum of two Development Contracts in the CPL.

Keshavarz, who spent part of his youth career with local club Saanich Fusion FC, previously trained with Pacific FC last season but has yet to make his professional debut for the club.

Fellow Wave players, all born in 2008, Will Edgson, Damian Jamal, and Mattias Vales have been training with Pacific this season and will continue to work with the team throughout this season. Edgson and Vales have been part of the Pacific FC programs, including the Wave intake program, for the past four years. All three players have been called up to BC’s provincial team.

“The Wave Program was designed to provide a professional pathway for youth players with the potential to become a homegrown player for Pacific FC,” said Shawn Fiddick, Executive Director, Youth Programs, Pacific FC.

“We also look to graduate players to other professional clubs and post-secondary opportunities. We’re excited to see Sami once again sign a development contract with Pacific, and to have Will, Damian and Mattias earn valuable experience by training with the club in 2024.”

​VI Wave is part of the BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL), the highest level of youth soccer in BC, which is comprised of five age groups, from under-14 to under-18, for both boys and girls.

Pacific FC’s Trident Development Program recently opened its fourth location on Vancouver Island at Glenlyon Norfolk School. Trident provides a pathway to the VI Wave high-performance program through technical training and small-sided matches.

Stay tuned to Pacific FC and follow the club on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.

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