VANCOUVER – UBC Thunderbirds defender
Eric Lajeunesse has been selected sixth overall by Pacific FC in the 2023 Canadian Premier League-U SPORTS Draft.
Coming off an exceptional first season with the T-Birds, Lajeunesse was named both the Canada West and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year as the Ottawa native was widely lauded for his outstanding skill and poise on the pitch.
The Pacific FC staff have also clearly recognized the 6-foot-2, 185 pound centre-back as an up-and-coming talent capable of making strides at the next level of Canadian soccer, selecting Lajeunesse with their first of two picks in Thursday's Draft.
"It feels amazing, getting to be picked so high," said Lajeunesse following Thursday's Draft. "This is just the beginning. I've worked my hardest my whole life and I'm excited to move forward with Pacific and just hopefully achieve a higher level with them. Ever since I was a kid it's been my dream to play professional soccer and the CPL is a great step because it is a professional league. I can picture myself there and I'm excited to start to make a name for myself."
"I am really happy for Eric that he will get an opportunity to show himself at the next level of play," said UBC head coach
Mike Mosher. "I know he wants this and he is very deserving of this opportunity."
Lajeunesse becomes the tenth Thunderbird to have his name called at the CPL-U SPORTS Draft since the inaugural selection class of 2018.
The young defender will now have the opportunity to attend Pacific FC's training camp and earn a spot on their roster ahead of the 2023 CPL season. The partnership between the CPL and U SPORTS provides student-athletes an opportunity to be signed to a Developmental Contract which preserves a player's U SPORTS eligibility.
"At only 19 years of age I think Eric has some qualities that are very attractive for higher levels of play," Mosher continued. "Obviously he is a good player and has shown that with his performances that earned him Canada West and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year. But, I think it is some of the pieces in Eric that are maybe not obvious when you watch him play that will aid him in his evolution and development as a player: his intelligence, coachability, attitude, determination and desire to get better and play at higher levels. A lot of players can say this, but not all can demonstrate and act upon this on a daily basis. Add to this that he is a left sided central defender who is very capable on the ball – a rarity – and you have the makings of a player who has the ability to push on to higher levels of play in my opinion."
"All the boys have been so amazing on the team, gaining experience from them," said Lajeunesse as he looked back on a highly successful 2022 season with the T-Birds. "I feel like having Mike's trust, having the coaching staff's trust, my teammates' trust has really propelled me to a different level this year and getting to achieve the things I have and I credit it all to them."
No team has selected more Thunderbirds in the CPL Draft than Pacific as Lajeunesse joins
Victory Shumbusho (2021), Chris Lee (2021),
Thomas Gardner (2018 and 2019),
Nick Fussell (2018), and Zach Verhoven (2018) as previous draftees by the Victoria based club.
As part of this year's draft, Cavalry FC announced they are retaining
Markus Kaiser's rights after drafting the Thunderbird midfielder prior to last season. In 2022 Kaiser made six appearances for his hometown CPL team before returning to UBC where he helped the T-Birds claim a fifth straight Canada West title.
