OTTAWA – Ottawa Fury FC announced on Thursday the signing of Ottawa native Jadon Vilfort ahead of the 2019 USL Championship season, pending league approval. Vilfort, who had his first taste of pro soccer life last season when he donned on the Fury FC badge for the inaugural CapCity Cup, becomes the eighth Canadian added to the Ottawa roster for the upcoming USL Championship season.

The 18-year-old defender, born and raised in Ottawa, had been training with Fury FC throughout the 2018 season before getting his chance to join the pros on the pitch in the September friendly match against MLS side Montreal Impact. Vilfort made the most of the opportunity to train in a professional environment and secured a place in the professional ranks for his hometown club this season.

“Jadon has earned his spot on our roster this season through the hard work and dedication he showed us last year,” said Fury FC Head Coach Nikola Popovic. “As a young player he has presented the qualities and values that are important for our club culture, and that can contribute to our success. We look forward to continuing his career development as a member of Ottawa Fury FC.”

Vilfort grew up in the Manor Park neighbourhood of east Ottawa, attending Immaculate High School before completing his secondary education at St. Joseph. He played youth soccer with FC Capital United and Gloucester Celtic, but says that his time with Team Ontario at the Canada Games in 2017 was a turning point for his young career.

“We’re excited to see Jadon officially join Fury FC,” said Julian de Guzman, Ottawa Fury FC GM. “Him being a local talent and getting a chance to play for his hometown pro club is not only a great moment in his development and career, but he could really become an inspiring story for kids all across the Ottawa-Gatineau region hoping to make it. Just like guys the likes of Jamar Dixon before him, he will define a new pathway for Canadian talents.”

With training camp starting and the team taking to the field for the first time this season in just over a week, Fury FC has a solid core in place and will look to continue to add to its group in the coming weeks.

Current 2019 Ottawa Fury FC Roster

Forwards (1): Christiano François
Midfielders (5): Jamar Dixon*, Jeremy Gagnon-Laparé*, Chris Mannella*, Kevin Oliveira, Charlie Ward
Defenders (5): Nana Attakora*, Carl Haworth*, Onua Obasi, Maxime Tissot*, Jadon Vilfort*
Goalkeepers (1): David Monsalve*
* denotes Canadian player (8/12)