Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the signing of midfielder Kenold Versailles, pending international clearance. Versailles has agreed to a two-year contract - plus an option.

"Kenold is a big, strong, athletic central midfielder who can distribute the ball well," said Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson, who discovered Versailles at the United Soccer Leagues Men's Player Showcase in Charleston, South Carolina last month.

Versailles, 24-years-old, played his youth soccer at the Centre for Kids, which was sponsored by the Haitian Ministry of Sports, from 1999 to 2003. During that time, he was also a member of the Haitian national youth teams, where he participated in his country’s efforts to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2001 and the FIFA U-20 World Cup United Arab Emirates 2003. The native of Carrefour, Haiti, was also a member of the U-23 Olympic team in 2004 before earning five caps at senior international level.

"I am excited to be coming to Vancouver and start a new chapter in my soccer career and life," said Versailles. "I have heard a lot of positive things about the city and look forward to playing for the fans."

At club level, the 6-foot-2, 165-pound midfielder, played seven years in Division 1 Ligue Haitienne - the top league in Haiti. From 2002 to 2005, Versailles played with Racing Club Haitien, winning the league’s Clôture title in 2002. From 2006 to 2007, he starred with Roulado Gonaives.

Whitecaps 2009 season tickets are now on sale. Season tickets include all men’s and women's team regular season and playoff home matches at Swangard Stadium, Nutrilite Canadian Championship home matches against Toronto FC and Montreal Impact, as well as priority listing for BC Place and the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium. For more information on the 2009 season ticket packages, call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or visit whitecapsfc.com.