On Tuesday, Vancouver FC announced they have signed Ben Fisk, a native of East Vancouver, B.C., to a two-year deal.
The new deal for Fisk, 30, which includes a one-year club option for the 2026 season, marks the culmination of a previous transaction between Vancouver and Cavalry FC in December 2023, which saw the Eagles send the tenth overall pick in the 2024 CPL-U SPORTS Draft to Cavalry in exchange for the 15th overall draft pick and future considerations.
In bringing Fisk home, Vancouver is continuing its mission to both provide opportunity for local athletes to play professional soccer in their own backyards and inspire up-and-coming talent in the area to believe they can do the same. Fisk becomes the sixth B.C.-born player signed to Vancouver’s 2024 roster, joining goalkeeper Callum Irving, defenders Kadin Chung, Anthony White and James Cameron, and forward Taryck ‘TJ’ Tahid.
“It’s really exciting to join Vancouver FC and represent my hometown, particularly at this stage in my career,” said Fisk.
“After travelling the world to play football, I know what a luxury it is to be able to do what I love with friends and family watching from the stands. More than ever, I feel a responsibility as a member of this community, and as a steward of this jersey, to build the club into the success we all know it can be and to give back to a fanbase that gives so much by supporting us local guys who are living our dreams as VFC players. I can’t wait to get started.”
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Fisk was six years old when he first stepped onto a field in Vancouver, suiting up for East Vancouver’s historic Grandview Legion Football Club, which later amalgamated with Douglas Park Soccer Club and Vancouver Girls Soccer Club to form Vancouver Athletic FC. His youth career included stints with the Italian Canadian Sports Federation, the Marpole Soccer Club and the Vancouver Selects before he was recruited into the Vancouver Whitecaps’ residency program at the age of 16 after playing for their prospecting side since he was 13. The Burnaby Central Secondary School alum spent the next few years in the Vancouver Whitecaps organization, eventually representing the club’s under-23 side on 27 occasions, scoring eight goals, and earning a call-up to the senior team’s pre-season camp in 2014.
Following his time with the Whitecaps, Fisk continued his professional career abroad, representing Coruxo FC in Spain’s Segunda División B in 2014 and Deportivo La Coruña B in the Tercera División in 2015. He would later win a League of Ireland Cup title with Derry City FC of Ireland Premier Division (LIPD), where he signed in 2018 and where he earned his first taste of Europa League action.
Closer to home, Fisk previously represented FC Edmonton in the North American Soccer League and Pacific FC, Atlético Ottawa and 2023 regular season winner Cavalry in the Canadian Premier League. In signing with Vancouver, Fisk became the first player to suit up for four different CPL clubs.
But closer to home isn’t home, and Vancouver is pleased to finally bring Fisk back to play where his heart is.
“Ben embodies all the qualities we are looking for to improve our selection for 2024,” said Afshin Ghotbi, Head Coach, Vancouver FC. “He is connected to the community, has a long history and proven success in the CPL, possesses qualities to make players better around him, and he is a natural leader making Ben an important signing this season.”
Internationally, Fisk was 17 years old when he earned his first call in the Canadian youth program in 2011. He represented his country at the 2011 and 2013 Concacaf Under-20 Championships as well as at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. Fisk was in the squad for Canada’s run at the 2015 Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and later made his debut for his country in a January 2017 friendly win over Bermuda, alongside childhood friend and now VFC teammate Irving. He accrued two overall caps for his country, making one start.
Vancouver FC current roster as of Jan. 9, 2024:
Goalkeepers: Callum Irving
Defenders: Kadin Chung, Rocco Romeo, Ibrahim Bakare, Tyler Crawford, Anthony White, James Cameron
Midfielders: Elliot Simmons, Ben Fisk
Forwards: Alejandro ‘Wero’ Díaz, Mouhamadou ‘Mamadou’ Kane, Gabriel Bitar, Taryck ‘TJ’ Tahid