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Whitecaps loan goalkeeper Simon Thomas to FC Edmonton

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FC Edmonton has acquired national-team goalkeeper Simon Thomas on a unique season-long loan from the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Thomas was in Canada’s camp ahead of last Tuesday’s friendly against Costa Rica — a camp that was run by interim coach Colin Miller, who is also FC Edmonton boss. After the Eddies’ loss to Fort Lauderdale last Sunday, Miller knew he was in the market for a new keeper, as starter Lance Parker was red carded in that match and will be suspended for this Sunday’s home date with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Parker ban left John Smits as the only Eddies’ keeper on the pro roster eligible for the Tampa game.

The red card immediately put Miller in the market for a goalie and, lo and behold, he had Thomas in national-team camp… in Edmonton. The Whitecaps and the Eddies have a strong working relationship; ‘Caps central defender Carlyle Mitchell is already on a season-long loan in the Alberta capital. So, it’s not a surprise that the Whitecaps would offer the Eddies the most reasonable solution to their goalkeeping crisis.

Thomas, signed by the Whitecaps ahead of the 2013 season, was also part of the national team during a pair of January friendlies staged in the United States. Miller was at Canada’s helm for that camp. Thomas got a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with the USA in Houston.

Even though the Thomas loan has been confirmed as a season-long deal, the Eddies have confirmed that the keeper will go back to the Whitecaps after he appears for Edmonton on Sunday. In that game, Thomas is expected to back up Smits.

The reason Thomas will go back is part of a unique arrangement between the Caps and Eddies. The season-long loan means the Eddies can use Thomas as needed. But he will still train with the Whitecaps and be based in Vancouver.

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