Vancouver Whitecaps acquire Australia starlet Bernie Ibini from Club Brugge

The Vancouver Whitecaps announced the signing of Australia international Bernie Ibini from Belgian side Club Brugge on Monday.

The 24-year-old Nigeria-born attacker has spent the past season on loan at A-League champions Sydney FC, and will officially join the MLS side upon receiving a Canadian work permit and passing a medical.

"Bernie is an exciting young player with great upside," head coach Carl Robinson said in a statement.

"He's big, powerful, and can play as a wide player or as a centre forward.

"And just as importantly, he's someone who is hungry and keen to prove himself in Major League Soccer. We look forward to working with Bernie to help him reach his potential."

Capped twice by the Socceroos, Ibini has long been touted as a potential star of Australian football. Making his debut for the Central Coast Mariners as a 17-year-old in 2010, Ibini has notched up 125 A-League appearances, scoring 31 goals.

His time in at Belgian giants Brugge was cruelled after breaking his leg in his very first training session with the club.

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