Rocco Romeo
Vancouver FC announced the signing of free agent centre back Rocco Romeo today, ahead of the club's inaugural 2023 campaign in the Canadian Premier League.
Romeo became the club's sixth ever signing.
The 22-year old native of Toronto most recently represented Valour FC, having initially joined the club on loan from Toronto FC in 2021, before making the move permanent last year.
"I am grateful to Afshin [Ghotbi] and Rob [Friend] for their faith in me, as I begin this new chapter of my career in the Canadian Premier League with Vancouver FC," said Romeo. "I'm excited to officially get started, and put in the consistent work that is needed to get this club off to a great start on the field and off."
Standing 6'4", Romeo led Valour with 76 clearances in 2022, added 11 blocks, and won 40 aerial duels, all while maing 1,184 passes, with a success rate of 84 percent.
He also chipped in a pair of goals in each of the last two seasons.
"Rocco will bring consistency and presence to our back line, and leadership to our locker room," said manager Afshin Ghobti. "We are pleased to bring in another player who understands the league, what it takes to be successful, and we look forward to helping Rocco continue his development in this next phase of his career."
Romeo previously joined Toronto FC's academy in 2014, and represented the club in League 1 Ontario, and United Soccer League, in his nine seasons in the club's structure. Romeo also gained some European experience during a pair of loan spells with HB Køge of the Danish first division in 2018-2019 and again in 2020-2021.
At the international level, Romeo has represented several Canadian youth national teams, including the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, and the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.
"As we continue to build out our squad ahead of our inaugural season, we are looking for players who can help us be competitive from the first whistle," said Rob Friend, President of Vancouver FC. "Rocco not only fits that bill, but we believe there is even more to come from him as he continues to grow as a player."
Romeo joins strikers Mamadou Kane and Nathaniel St. Louis, midfielder Elliot Simmons, left back / wingback Kahlil John-Wentworth, and goalkeeper Callum Irving.