Prince George, B.C. – Another childhood dream has been realized, as the UNBC Timberwolves men's soccer program has added more local talent and leadership to its group ahead of the 2024 Canada West season.

Earlier today head coach Steve Simonson announced that 6'2" D.P. Todd graduate Marko Furlan (Prince George, B.C.) has committed to the UNBC Timberwolves for 2024 and beyond.
"It means a lot to make the UNBC Timberwolves roster. I've watched them [every weekend] for years at Masich Place," reflected Furlan who previously co-captained the U18 Prince George Youth Soccer Association (PGYSA) team alongside fellow UNBC commit Xavier Rocha. "I know a lot of the boys who graduated from the same PGYSA program as I did, so it means a lot to play the highest level of University soccer and represent my hometown."

Furlan brings a wealth of leadership and poise to the UNBC back line. His impressive list of awards and accomplishments from the previous years include:

• D.P. Todd Grade 12 Top Academic Athlete
• D.P. Todd Science Excellence Award
• 2022 PGYSA Top Senior Male Athlete of the Year
• D.M. Homan Leadership Award (top leadership student at D.P. Todd Secondary School)
• D.P. Todd Citizenship Award

Furlan is already one-year into his university tenure at UNBC in the Biomedical Studies program. His endgame off the field is to become a doctor or a dentist, so juggling a full course load and a heavy athletics schedule comes naturally for the latest Steve Simonson recruit.

Simonson shared, "Marko has a quiet determination, and an intelligent approach to everything that he does.  As a current UNBC student he is already showing a great success in the academic realm. He has come into the team with a tremendous mindset and he is already starting to make the adjustment to the Timberwolves way of playing. I am excited to see him mature into his role within our program."

With a strong familiarity already to the City, his new teammates and the Timberwolves style of play, Furlan's transition to Canada West should be a smooth one.
"The boys are great. They're great players," stated Furlan. "It's a nice balance because we have fun, but it's very technical, and high level with good standards. Knowing people from the team helps you settle in to a new environment."

On the pitch Furlan is a commander. His game is direct and purposeful and playing long balls up the field is a top skill of his. But he also doesn't shy away from quick ball movement in close quarters.
His grandfather and Dad both played soccer, so it was a no brainer for Furlan to pursue the sport as early as the age of four. Putting a UNBC Timberwolves kit on for the first time and taking the field at Masich Place Stadium is going to be an unforgettable moment for Furlan and his family.

He concluded, "I've grown up here, my family is here. I hope that I can play a couple of games in the next few years so that my family can watch me play the game that I love."

UNBC Athletics is thrilled to welcome Marko Furlan to the UNBC Timberwolves family.