Calgary, AB (April 14, 2023) – Cavalry FC has signed 19-year-old Calgary native William Omoreniye and 21-year-old Vancouver native Eryk Kobza to U SPORTS Development contracts following their selection in the 2023 U SPORTS draft. The club has also signed both youth players Niko Myroniuk and Michael Harms on developmental contracts for the 2023 season.
Omoreniye developed through the Calgary Foothills Academy Program and recently played for the Cavalry U20 team in the Alberta Major Soccer League, under former Cavalry FC player Jay Wheeldon. The defender had an impressive showing at this summer’s Canada Games tournament for Team Alberta. He is an athletic player with great technique and a competitive edge, with the ability to play in multiple roles, either as a full-back or winger. Omoreniye had an impressive rookie season with the University of Calgary Dinos where he accumulated four goals and two assists.
Kobza developed in the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy and was selected for the Canada U15 program. Following his departure from Whitecaps, the midfielder moved to Poland in 2020 where he signed professional contracts with both Sokol Ostroda and Podlasie Biala Podlaska. He featured in six matches in the second division and made 20 appearances in the third division. The Dinos captain is described as a versatile player that can play as a centre-back or central midfielder. Eryk has an impressive passing range and is aggressive in his duals while displaying strong leadership skills.
Both players have been training with the squad throughout the entirety of pre-season and will now have the opportunity to appear within the squad throughout the season.
Myroniuk and Harms will be continuing their stay with Cavalry FC as they each sign with the club on developmental contracts, for the second consecutive season. Both players have impressed in training as well as with the club’s youth side over the past two seasons, with Myroniuk having a strong preseason as he scored two goals in the club’s friendly against FC Tigers Vancouver.
“These players are important to the development and growth of our club and highlight the value of the U SPORTS system along with the work being down with our local pathway,” says Cavalry FC Head Coach and General Manager, Tommy Wheeldon Jr. “The bridge between youth and professional is a pivotal one and has helped create these opportunities for Willy, Eryk, Michael and Niko. I’m excited to see how they develop further in the professional system.”
Cavalry FC will kick off their season away to Forge FC on April 15th and will be making returning to ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows on April 30th as they host their home opener against Valour FC.