On Friday, Vancouver FC announced a series of roster moves as the club continues to build toward a successful sophomore season in Canadian Premier League play.
Twelve players from Vancouver’s inaugural squad finished the 2023 season with guaranteed contracts for 2024: goalkeeper Callum Irving; defenders Ibrahim Bakare, James Cameron, Kadin Chung, Tyler Crawford, Rocco Romeo, and Anthony White; midfielder Elliot Simmons; and forwards Gabriel Bitar, Alejandro Diaz and Taryck ‘TJ’ Tahid.
Following post-season negotiations, the club has declined its 2024 options on defender Min-jae Kwak and midfielders Ivan Mejia and Nima Moazeni Zadeh. Forward Ameer Kinani, one of Vancouver’s picks in the 2023 CPL-U SPORTS draft, is out of contract following the expiration of his one-year CPL-U SPORTS deal. Midfielder Lennon Thompson, who signed a developmental contract with the club in May 2023, will not return to VFC for the 2024 season.
Mejia, Moazeni Zadeh and Kinani have all been invited to the club’s pre-season training, where they will be eligible as free agents to compete for spots on Vancouver’s 2024 roster.
“We would like to thank Min-jae, Ivan, Nima, Ameer, and Lennon for their dedication and hard work throughout VFC’s first season,” said Afshin Ghotbi, Head Coach, Vancouver FC. “They each played a part in building the legacy of this club, and we wish them all the best in the future.”
Kwak, 23, joined Vancouver’s inaugural roster from the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), the third tier of professional soccer in the United States. The international defender made 14 starts in 27 appearances across all competitions, registering one goal and two assists.
Moazeni Zadeh, 26, was one of three players who joined VFC’s inaugural roster out of open trials after representing Capilano University at the collegiate level, as well as BB5 United and FC Tigers Vancouver. The Iranian Canadian midfielder made 10 starts in 12 appearances at the beginning of the season before suffering an injury that forced him to the sidelines. Moazeni Zadeh registered 14 appearances and 896 minutes across all competitions.
Mejia, 22, joined Vancouver from the TSS Rovers of League1 BC. The Colombian-Canadian midfielder made one appearance for the Eagles as a second-half substitute and registered 11 minutes of playing time.
Kinani, 22, was selected by Vancouver out of Toronto Metropolitan University with the second pick of the 2023 CPL-U SPORTS Draft and subsequently signed a CPL-U SPORTS Contract in March 2023. Kinani made 21 overall appearances for the club in 2023, scoring one goal and adding an assist.
Thompson, 19, retains his amateur status after making three appearances for the Eagles on his development contract in 2023.
Vancouver previously announced the departures of goalkeeper Jeremy Zielinski, midfielder Nicky Gyimah and forwards Shaan Hundal and Nathanial St. Louis in November 2023.
Further, Vancouver FC roster updates and announcements will be made later this month.
Vancouver FC current roster:
Goalkeepers: Callum Irving
Defenders: Kadin Chung, Rocco Romeo, Ibrahim Bakare, Tyler Crawford, Anthony White, James Cameron
Midfielders: Elliot Simmons
Forwards: Alejandro ‘Wero’ Díaz, Mouhamadou ‘Mamadou’ Kane, Gabriel Bitar, Taryck ‘TJ’ Tahid