January 17, 2014 - 2:33 PM
VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Whitecaps can't seem to catch a break.
One day after selecting Andre Lewis seventh overall in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft, news broke that the diminutive Jamaican midfielder had already agreed to a contract with the New York Cosmos of the second-tier North American Soccer League.
The deal with the 19-year-old Lewis that was first reported by Goal.com on Friday was confirmed by a Cosmos spokesman to The Canadian Press.
The revelation that Lewis won't be joining Vancouver came the same day that the Whitecaps announced the sale of star striker Camilo Sanvezzo to Mexico's Queretaro F.C.
The 25-year-old Sanvezzo forced the Whitecaps into the move by practising with Queretaro and even having his photograph taken while wearing the team's jersey, despite the fact that Vancouver had exercised its contract option for 2014.
Lewis, meanwhile, seemed ecstatic to be drafted by the Whitecaps when he spoke to reporters on a conference call after Thursday's draft.
"I'm a fan of Vancouver because of Darren Mattocks," said Lewis, referencing the Whitecaps striker and fellow Jamaican. "I love the support that the fans give to Vancouver. I'm looking forward to starting my professional career with the Whitecaps and to just go there and work hard and do my best."
The five-foot-nine 145-pound Lewis represented his country at the under-17 and under-20 levels before earning his first senior call up in 2012.
"On the pitch, I always want to be a top player," said Lewis on Thursday's conference call. "Win or lose, I want to be on top of my game at all times."
Generation Adidas players sign contracts with MLS before the draft, but Lewis did not, meaning that he was free to sign with any club outside MLS.
Prior to taking Lewis at No. 7, the Whitecaps used the third pick to select defender Christian Dean, who is signed to a Generation Adidas contract.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014