BIOGRAPHY

PROFILE
Born in Kumasi, Ghana, and raised in Edmonton, AB, Randy Edwini-Bonsu made quick progress into the Whitecaps men's team after a successful first year with the Whitecaps Residency side. A member of the Residency's inaugural squad, the striker joined the program when he signed on Aug. 7, 2007.
   
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC–USL-1
2007: His first-ever call-up to the men's team was for the international friendly versus Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy at BC Place on Nov. 7. The striker was an unused substitute during the goalless draw. 2008: Edwini-Bonsu was a late substitute in the 2-1 international friendly win over MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy in his hometown of Edmonton on May 13. After his first season in the PDL, the striker was recalled to the men's team for the remainder of the USL-1 season on Aug. 14. He made four substitute appearances against Seattle Sounders (Aug. 20), Portland Timbers (Aug. 22), Atlanta Silverbacks (Aug. 27), and Puerto Rico Islanders (Aug. 31). 2009: Edwini-Bonsu recorded his first point for the men's team when he assisted on Charles Gbeke's second goal during a 2-0 home win over Miami FC Blues on Aug. 23.

WHITECAPS FC RESIDENCY–USL PDL
2008: Edwini-Bonsu was named to the PDL All-Western Conference Team after scoring nine goals and adding two assists in 15 regular season appearances during the Residency's inaugural season in the league. This included a hat-trick in a 5-1 home win over Tacoma Tide on June 28. During the Residency's playoff run to the PDL semifinals, he scored five goals in three playoff matches. 2009: The striker scored two goals as a second-half substitute during the 6-0 home win over Yakima Reds on July 4.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC RESIDENCY
2007-08: The striker began his professional development in the first week of Sept. 2007 before making an impact on the Residency squad's first trip to Germany in Oct. He appeared in all six friendly matches during the trip and scored goals against Bayern Munich U-19's on Oct. 22 and versus a combined U-19/U-23 side from 1860 Munich on Oct. 30. In Mar. 2008, Edwini-Bonsu started all three matches in Bracket C of the U-19 Super Group at Dallas Cup XXIX. He scored both goals in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Mexican club Chivas Guadalajara on Mar. 17. The forward also found the back of the net in a 2-1 post-tournament friendly win over England's Leicester City U-19's on Mar. 26. Soon after the team's return from Texas, Edwini-Bonsu helped the Residency side win the 2008 Keg Spring Cup in Victoria, BC. The squad then returned to Germany for another series of friendly matches, with the striker scoring in a 5-0 win over VfL Neckarau U-19's on May 8. Edwini-Bonsu followed that up by claiming the Most Valuable Player award at the INSEL-CUP junior international tournament, as he led the side to a third-place finish after scoring three goals in the competition. 2008-09: Edwini-Bonsu had a highly successful trip to the Far East in Dec. 2008, as he scored 11 goals in the Residency team's five matches of their 12-day tour of Japan. This included three hat-tricks in victories over Vissel Kobe U-19's (Dec. 7), Kyoto Sanga U-19's (Dec. 10), and Himeji City U-19's (Dec. 13). At Dallas Cup XXX, Edwini-Bonsu picked up an ankle injury early in their U-19 Super Group opening win over Mexico's Club Futbol Monterrey on Apr. 5 and was unfortunately sidelined for the rest of the tournament.

FRENCH LIGUE 2
In 2007, Edwini-Bonsu trained with the U-18 and reserve sides of French club FC Metz.

INTERNATIONAL
U-17: Edwini-Bonsu earned 14 caps for Canada at the U-17 international level between Apr. 2006 and May 2007. He scored with his first-ever international goal in a 10-0 victory over Bermuda at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Youth Cup in Bacolet, Tobago, on Aug. 15, 2006. U-20: Edwini-Bonsu was called up to Canada's U-20 national team for training camps in Switzerland (Nov. 2008) and Florida (Jan./Feb. 2009). This included a late appearance in Canada's 1-1 friendly draw with hosts Switzerland on Nov. 26. In Mar. 2009, Edwini-Bonsu was one of seven Whitecaps players to be named in Canada's 20-player squad for the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Trinidad & Tobago. Playing in Group B, the striker started all three of Canada's matches against hosts Trinidad & Tobago (Mar. 7, 2009), Mexico (Mar. 9, 2009), and Costa Rica (Mar. 11, 2009). This included both goals in Canada's 2-0 win over Mexico - a result which eliminated their opponents from qualification for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Unfortunately, Canada's results in Group B also meant they missed out on Egypt 2009.

YOUTH/AMATEUR
Edwini-Bonsu was a member of the University of Alberta Green & Gold Soccer Academy in Edmonton. Between 2004 and 2006, the striker was a member of the Alberta provincial team, having led his province to a gold medal victory at the 2006 Canadian U-16 All-Star Championship in Sherwood Park, AB. At club level, Edwini-Bonsu played for Southwest United of the Edmonton Interdistrict Youth Soccer Association (EIYSA) between 2003 and 2006. In his last year with the club, the striker took Southwest United U-16's to an Alberta provincial title and a second-place finish at Canadian Club Championship in Moncton, NB.

PERSONAL
Edwini-Bonsu immigrated to Canada with his family in 2002. His parents, Stephen and Gifty Edwini-Bonsu, currently live in Edmonton. 

INTERESTING FACTS
The striker is a fan of English Premier League giants Arsenal, while his favourite player is Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba. Edwini-Bonsu is fluent in three languages - English, French, and Twi. In his spare time, he enjoys watching soccer and hanging out with friends and family.

STATISTICS