Whitecaps add Hamilton and Baker

April 10, 2009

Vancouver Whitecaps FC have announced the signings of striker defender Paul Hamilton and striker Jerome Baker.

Hamilton has agreed to a one-year contract - plus an option - with the Whitecaps United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) team, while Baker has been added to the Whitecaps full-time Residency program and will also be a member of the ’Caps PDL side. Both players have been loaned to the Whitecaps USL First Division team for their regular season opener at Swangard Stadium on Saturday evening.

Hamilton, 21-years-old, joins the Whitecaps after playing the last two seasons with Trinity Western University (TWU) in Langley, BC. The 6-foot-1, 172-pound centre back helped the Spartans to a silver medal at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national championships in 2008, as well as a Canada West regular season title and the Canada West Championship in 2007. For his efforts, Hamilton was named a Canada West First Team All-Star and a CIS Second Team All-Canadian in his two seasons with TWU.

Prior to his move out west, Hamilton spent his first year in CIS at Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Hamilton named Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Rookie of the Year and an AUS Second Team All-Star during his lone year with the Capers.

A native of Calgary Alberta, Hamilton played his youth soccer with the Calgary Foothills Soccer Club. In 2006, which was his last year with Foothills Irish, Hamilton led the team to an Alberta U-18 provincial championship and a silver medal at the Canadian U-18 Club Championship.

Baker, 17, comes to Vancouver from Sigma FC, a youth development club based in Baker’s hometown of Toronto, Ontario. The 6-foot, 178-pound striker has been a member of the Ontario provincial team since 2004. In 2005, at the U-14 level, Baker helped Ontario win gold at the Canadian All-Star Championship by scoring seven goals in three matches. Two years later, Baker helped Ontario capture the silver medal at the U-16 level. Baker is also part of Canada’s national youth team talent pool and has participated in U-16 and U-17 camps.

The defending USL-1 champion Whitecaps kick off their 2009 campaign against Charleston Battery at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at Swangard Stadium. 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 Vancouver MLS 2011 at BC Place. For more information on the 2009 season ticket packages, CLICK HERE or call 604.669.WAVE (9283).

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