KAMLOOPS – A pair of brothers will journey from Winnipeg to Kamloops for the upcoming season as the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's soccer team and head coach John Antulov announce that Sam and Sina Barazandeh have signed with the 'Pack.

"I share the same values and philosophy as both the school and the program," said Sam on his decision to join the program. "TRU stood out as the ideal place to support my development as both a student and an athlete."

"I chose to join the WolfPack because from the moment I connected with the team, it felt like a place where I could grow as a player and be part of something meaningful," echoed Sina.
Sam, the older of the Baranzandeh brothers, is a solid defender that has experience playing both in Winnipeg and abroad.

"Sam is a really good ball-playing centre back," said Antulov. "He reads the game well, is technically a really good player and a solid one vs. one defender. He can play all along the backline and even in the midfield. Sam has the ability to be a really versatile player for us."

After starting his journey playing youth soccer in his hometown of Winnipeg, Sam went on to shine with the developmental program at 1v1 Futbol Dreams Academy where he was given the chance to train with older players.

"Playing with older, more experienced players taught me to think faster, play smarter, and improve my discipline," said Sam. "I'm grateful to the coaches who gave me those opportunities and pushed me to keep improving."

Playing for the Manitoba Provincial Team at the Canada Summer Games at the age of 17, Sam also went on to play in both Portugal and Italy.

Younger brother Sina is a central midfielder that Antulov is excited to have join the program.
 
"Sina is a quality left-footed player with a really high football I.Q. He's technically sound, has really good vision on the field and can play some different positions. Having a left-footed player in that central midfielder position can really add a lot to our squad."
 
Sharing a similar journey to his brother, Sina also rose through the ranks with 1v1 Futbol Dreams Academy before suiting up for Team Manitoba.
 
The two brothers join the long line of Winnipeggers that will wear the Orange and Black of TRU and actually got in touch with TRU thanks to 2022 U SPORTS National Champion Dylan Hooper.
 
"Through our Winnipeg contacts with guys like Dylan Hooper they came in for a visit and I really liked both of them – they are really quality players and that made it easy to try and bring both to Kamloops. To land both of them is really good for us," said Antulov.
 
The two become the second pair of brothers to join the WolfPack this season after twin brothers Francesco and Stephano Rettis-Martinez committed to TRU earlier in the spring.
 
"I think it makes it easier for both guys to transition to Kamloops and TRU," said Antulov. "We are trying to build that family atmosphere and if guys can come together it just makes it so much easier."
 
"I've always played soccer with my brother, so getting to go to university and play together is really special," added Sina. "It's nice knowing we'll be able to keep pushing each other and share this new experience."

Both Barazandeh brothers plan on studying business at TRU.