Pacific FC has re-signed midfielder Mattias Vales to an Exceptional Young Talent contract, continuing the journey of one of the club’s most exciting homegrown players and reinforcing its commitment to developing local talent on Vancouver Island.
Still just 17 years old, the Victoria native is already living a reality many young players dream of, balancing high school with professional football, and doing so in colours of the club he grew up representing.
Vales originally signed a developmental contract ahead of the 2025 season, earning his opportunity after progressing through the Pacific FC academy system, formerly known as Vancouver Island Wave. For a player who spent his formative years inside the club’s pathway, stepping into the first-team environment was less a leap and more a natural next step.
That moment arrived on May 6, 2025 when Vales made his professional debut at Starlight Stadium in a TELUS Canadian Championship preliminary round match. From there, he continued to gain experience throughout the season, appearing in six matches with the first team and logging over 100 minutes while training daily alongside the senior squad.
A high-energy midfielder, Vales brought intensity and confidence every time he stepped onto the pitch. His direct style of play, willingness to take on defenders, and relentless work rate quickly stood out, especially for a player still in his teens.
His progress extended beyond club football as well. In 2025, Vales represented Team BC at the Canada Summer Games, scoring twice and earning national recognition as the lone BC player named to the Team Canada Starting XI. Earlier in the year, he also travelled to Germany to train with VfL Bochum’s U-21 side, gaining valuable international experience through Pacific FC’s Bundesliga partnership.
Now, with his re-signing secured, Vales enters the next chapter of his development with momentum and opportunity ahead. The Exceptional Young Talent designation allows him to continue growing within Pacific FC’s youth pathway while contributing at the professional level, a structure designed to support young players as they take their next steps.
For Pacific FC, Vales represents more than just a promising midfielder. He’s a reflection on the club’s identity, a local player, developed at home, now pushing forward with energy, intensity, and a bright future in front of him.
Current 2026 Pacific FC Roster as of January 22:
Goalkeepers: Sean Melvin, Eleias Himaras
Defenders: Juan Quintana, Kadin Chung, Christian Greco-Taylor, Diego Konincks, Joshua Belluz
Midfielders: Sean Young, Aidan Daniels, Matteo Schiavoni, Sami Keshavarz, Matthew Baldisimo, Roshawn Juhmi, Lukas Browning, Mattias Vales
Forwards: Marco Bustos, Josh Heard, Ronan Kratt, Alejandro Díaz, Yann Toualy