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Vancouver sends U.S. U17 Odunze to Leicester

The Vancouver Whitecaps signed goalkeeper Chituru Odunze to a Development Squad deal and then transferred the 16-year-old to Leicester City.

Odunze joins Leicester City's academy squad after he practiced with them in a two-month trial in January.

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"It's a dream come true to take the next step in my career at a big club like Leicester City FC," Odunze said in a statement. "I'm really grateful for everything that Vancouver Whitecaps FC have done for me.

"I would like to thank the coaches, staff, and my teammates for how they have helped me grow as a player, and especially Raegyn Hall and Jordan Santiago for coaching me as a goalkeeper."

Odunze holds Canadian, United Kingdom and United States citizenship. He has three caps with the U.S. Under-17 national team.

Odunze joined Vancouver when he was 14. He had previously lived in London and was an academy member of Chelsea, Cardiff City and West Ham.

The agreement includes performance bonuses, and the Whitecaps will receive a percentage of all future transfer fees for Odunze.