Vancouver Whitecaps FC bolstered their back line on Monday morning with the additions of Canadian internationals Marcel de Jong and David Edgar– and it’s fitting that the signings took place on the same day. They are both different players, but as you can see below, it’s hard to ignore the similarities. Here are five things you need to know about the Canadian duo.
ONTARIO BOYS: Edgar was born in Kitchener, Ontario, and de Jong was born in nearby Newmarket, about a 90-minute drive away. Both are 29 years of age, though de Jong is turning 30 later this year. They also both left Canada in their early years. Edgar moved to England at the age of 14 to join the Newcastle United academy, after turning down an offer from Manchester United five years prior, while de Jong and his Dutch parents moved to the Netherlands when he was just five years old.
ROAD TO VANCOUVER: Both de Jong and Edgar have over 10 years of experience in pro soccer, respectively. Edgar has spent his entire career in England up until this point, while de Jong played in the top-flight Dutch and German leagues before returning to North America, where he spent time with Sporting Kansas City and most recently Ottawa Fury of the NASL. Although Edgar has never played in North America, he told The Province last month that it’s always been the hope to return home. “Canada Soccer is dear to my heart,” he said. “If I can do anything to promote the game in Canada I will.”
‘CAPS FOR CANADA: After making their way up the Canadian youth national teams together, de Jong and Edgar have a combined 82 appearances with Canada at the senior level (45 for de Jong and 37 for Edgar, who has served as an alternate captain). They’ve also each scored three goals. Both players were with the team during Canada’s recent World Cup qualifiers, including the matches in Vancouver, and are expected to be involved again in September. Despite living in the UK for so many years, Edgar has always said that he “feels very Canadian” and that “it’s in his blood,” he was quoted as saying in the Toronto Star. De Jong, meanwhile, spent some time with the Dutch youth national team system but chose to represent Canada at the senior level instead.
FLAIR FOR THE DRAMATIC: These guys sure have a flair for the dramatic. In his first professional start, Edgar scored against Manchester United as a member of Newcastle with a 25-yard deflected strike on New Year’s Day 2007. De Jong has also scored some big goals in his day, including this 35-yard golazo for Canada in a friendly against Ghana last year.
JACK OF ALL TRADES: A natural centre back, Edgar has played – and excelled at – several different positions during his pro career, including right back and central midfield. His most recent appearances with Canada were in midfield, including a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan on June 7 in which he headed in a free kick and wore the captain’s armband. It’s a similar story for de Jong, a natural left back who has also played on the wing and in central midfield.
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