VANCOUVERÂ Whitecaps FC announced today the addition of defender Chris Serban, midfielder Brett Levis, and midfielder/striker Jovan Blagojevic to the club’s WFC2 roster ahead of the team’s inaugural season in the United Soccer League (USL). Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Chris and Brett are both very good players and they’ve obviously done well in the CIS, but also proved themselves with the Whitecaps FC U-23 team,” said WFC2 head coach Alan Koch. “With Jovan, it’s exciting to continue working with a player that I’ve coached for the last few years and who continues to get better. I’m really looking forward to having all three players with us this season.”
WFC2 defender Chris Serban
- Joined Whitecaps FC Residency program in 2014
- Named 2014 CIS Rookie of the Year with UBC
- Started all five matches for Canada at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship
Serban, 19, returns to the club after playing one season at the University of British Columbia (UBC) under head coach Mike Mosher. During his first season of college soccer, Serban won the Lou Bilek award as Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Rookie of the Year after helping the Thunderbirds to the fewest goals conceded in the Canada West conference.
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Serban joined the Whitecaps FC Residency program in February 2014 after playing with Calgary Chinooks. During the 2013-14 United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) U-18 season, the 5-foot-10 defender started all 15 matches he appeared in for the Blue and White, helping the ‘Caps to second place in the Northwest Division. In addition to his time in the Residency program, Serban also started 11 matches for Whitecaps FC U-23 in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL).
Internationally, Serban has made eight appearances for the Canadian U-20 men’s national team, including starting all five matches for his country at the recent 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
WFC2 midfielder Brett Levis
- Played for Whitecaps FC U-23 in 2014
- CIS First Team All-Canadian and Canada West leading goalscorer in 2014
- Helped University of Saskatchewan win first Canada West Championship
Levis, 21, joins WFC2 after a fine career at the University of Saskatchewan under the guidance of head coach Bryce Chapman, who also serves as head coach of the Whitecaps FC Saskatchewan Academy Centre. Over the course of his four seasons with the Huskie program, Levis scored 29 goals and recorded 16 assists in 50 matches, including leading the Canada West Conference with nine goals in 2014. For his efforts, Levis was named a CIS First Team All-Canadian in 2014, and a Second Team All-Canadian the previous two years.
Last summer, the native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan started 12 of his 14 appearances with Whitecaps FC U-23 in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), scoring two goals and recording four assists. In 2013, Levis had a remarkable season with Victoria Highlanders FC, starting all 17 of his appearances and leading the team with 12 goals and five assists.
The young midfielder started his soccer career with Saskatoon Youth Soccer Club. Levis won a provincial high school championship in 2010 with Centennial Chargers and represented team Saskatchewan at the 2009 Canada Games.
WFC2 midfielder/striker Jovan Blagojevic
- Scored 38 goals in 71 appearances with Simon Fraser University
- 2014 West Region Player of the Year and GNAC Player of the Year
- Ended his GNAC career fifth on the conference all-time points list
Blagojevic, who Whitecaps FC selected in the third round of this year’s MLS SuperDraft (54th overall), spent the last four seasons with the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Clan. SFU is the only Canadian university competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The 23-year-old midfielder/striker is coming off a spectacular senior season, leading the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) with 18 goals in 18 matches. He also scored a conference-high seven game-winning goals and led SFU to their third consecutive national tournament appearance.
Blagojevic, who was born in Serbia before moving to British Columbia at the age of two, was named the 2014 West Region Player of the Year and GNAC Player of the Year in addition to earning second team All-American honours. He ended his GNAC career fifth on the conference all-time points list with 90 and tied for fifth in goals scored with 38.
Come and see the next generation of Whitecaps FC stars as USL PRO arrives in Vancouver. With Season Tickets available for as low as $118, WFC2 matches will be a unique and affordable experience for fans, families, students, and supporters. The first 1,100 fans to sign up for Season Tickets will be recognized as founding members of the WFC2 Starting 11, a membership group that offers exclusive rewards and experiences. Become a part of the team and secure your Season Ticket Membership today.
Chris Serban
Position: Defender
Height: 5-10
Weight: 160 pounds
Date of Birth: November 15, 1995, in Bistrita, Romania
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Citizenship: Canada / Romania
Status: Domestic
Last Club: University of British Columbia / Whitecaps FC Residency
How Acquired: WFC2 free agent signing on February 25, 2015
Brett Levis
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-08
Weight: 155 pounds
Date of Birth: March 29, 1993 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Citizenship: Canada
Status: Domestic
Last Club: University of Saskatchewan / Whitecaps FC U-23
How Acquired: WFC2 free agent signing on February 25, 2015
Jovan Blagojevic
Pronunciation: yo-van blah-go-ye-vich
Position: Midfielder / Striker
Height: 6-00
Weight: 165 pounds
Date of Birth: April 6, 1991 in Belgrade, Serbia
Hometown: Coquitlam, British Columbia
Citizenship: Canada / Serbia
Status: Domestic
Last Club: Simon Fraser University
How Acquired: Selected 54th overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Whitecaps FC on January 20, 2015, signed to WFC2 on February 25, 2015
