Whitecaps sell Froese to German side Fortuna Dusseldorf

The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Wednesday the club has sold midfielder Kianz Froese to German outfit Fortuna Dusseldorf for an undisclosed fee, adding that the Canadian side will receive performance bonuses and a percentage of any future transfer fee.

Froese, 20, will join the Dusseldorf Under-23 team having spent the last five years with the Whitecaps as part of the organization's youth ranks before making his senior debut in 2014. The Homegrown Player signing, born in Cuba, joined the club's U-23 team in 2012 and spent the last two seasons on loan with Whitecaps 2 in the USL.

"We thank Kianz for his contributions to the club and wish him all the best with Fortuna Dusseldorf," Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said in a club-issued statement.

"This is a good opportunity for Kianz to continue his development both on and off the pitch. This move will also open a pathway for our young midfield players who are ready to compete for minutes."

Froese has also gained some experience playing for Canada at the international level, having made a pair of senor-team appearances since 2015 and debuti against Ghana on Oct. 14.