In hopes of making the club more productive on the front end and capitalizing on gaining more scoring chances the Vancouver Whitecaps FC have acquired 6’2” Winger/Forward Bernie Ibini-Isei from Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge KV prior to the close of the 2017 MLS primary transfer window.
At a young age of 24 Ibini has agreed to an MLS contract which takes him through to the 2018 season as well as having a club option for 2019.
He will occupy an international roster spot and officially join the club’s roster all pending receipt of his Canadian work permit and medical exam, which is standard procedure for all clubs.
He was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and migrated to Sydney as a young child and started his football career with semi-professional New South Wales Premier League club Blacktown City FC.
In 2009, he signed went on and signed with Central Coast, first on the youth side prior to making his senior debut in 2010 at the young age of 17.
He spent five (5) seasons with Central Coast recording 21 goals, 10 assists which included 14 appearances in the Asian Champions League from 2009 – 2014.
He went on and contributed to his team’s 2011-12 A-League regular season title and 2013 A-League championship.
He finished his second loan spell with Australian A-League side Sydney FC, scoring three goals in 20 appearances across all competitions in 2016-17 helping the Sky Blues win league and playoffs.
The winger/forward played in Sydney’s semifinal win but missed the Grand Final due to a hamstring injury.
He was on loan from Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge KV, where he joined in June 2015, but did not play any games with the Blauw-Zwart (Blue-Black) after suffering a broken leg in his first preseason with the European club.
Playing on the right wing is only part as he is able to line up on the opposite side or at centre-forward position.
He went on and signed with Shanghai Dongya FC (now known as Shanghai SIPG FC) in 2013, making 10 appearances in the Chinese Super League and started in one Chinese FA Cup match and the following season (2013-14) he was loaned back to (former A-League side) Central Coast Mariners FC, where he managed to score six goals in only 16 appearances.
He managed to grab seven goals and added two assists (2014-15) and started in all 28 of his appearances, helping Sydney to a runner-up finish in both league and playoffs matches.
“Bernie is an exciting young player with great upside,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “He’s big, powerful, and can play as a wide player or as a centre forward. And just as importantly, he’s someone who is hungry and keen to prove himself in Major League Soccer. We look forward to working with Bernie to help him reach his potential.”
He also represented Australia in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup prior to making his debut in 2014 for his adopted country’s Senior National team in a pair of friendlies.
The ‘Caps return (finally) home for three (3) matches in an eight day span with the first being May 20 against Sporting Kansas City.
Whitecaps FC winger/forward Bernie Ibini
- This season helped Sydney FC win the double – A-League Premiers (best league record) and were crowned A-League Champions with their Grand Final (playoffs) victory last Sunday
- Won the A-League Premiers in 2011-12 and A-League Champions in 2013 with Central Coast Mariners FC
- Scored 31 goals and added 11 assists in 142 matches with A-League sides Central Coast Mariners FC and Sydney FC
- Has two senior international caps for Australia and also played at the U-23 and U-20 levels
Bernie Ibini
Pronunciation: ee-BEE-nee
Position: Winger/Forward
Height: 6-02
Weight: 195 pounds
Date of Birth: September 12, 1992 in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Citizenship: Nigeria/Australia
Status: International
Previous Club: Club Brugge KV (Belgian Pro League 2015 – 2017)
Transaction: Acquired from Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge KV on May 9, 2017
Thanks to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the press release.
