Vancouver FC midfielder Ben Fisk announced his retirement from professional soccer play on Thursday.
After 22 appearances most recently with the Eagles, Fisk confirmed he's wrapping up a decorated 14-year career that spanned continents and saw him play an integral role in the growth of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) as an original player who represented four clubs during the past six seasons.
But Fisk, 31, is not leaving 91原创's pro soccer team. Instead, he's just changing roles.
He has now stepped into the role of director of partnerships for Vancouver FC.
鈥淭his wasn鈥檛 an easy choice,鈥� Fisk said of his decision to retire.
鈥淪tepping away from something that has been my whole identity for so long has been incredibly difficult. But I believe this is the right decision for my family and I at this time, and I look forward to finding new ways to give back and continue contributing to the growth of the game across Canada and in my hometown of Vancouver.鈥�
Fisk was well known in the CPL prior to his move to Vancouver in January 2024.
READ MORE WITH VIDEO: Vancouver FC signs Ben Fisk, first new addition to roster
He was a member of Pacific FC鈥檚 inaugural roster in 2019 and became Atletico Ottawa鈥檚 first signing in club history in March 2020.
He went on to join Cavalry FC as a free agent in August 2021, representing the club on 67 occasions during more than two seasons and lifting the CPL Shield as regular season winners in 2023.
A native of East Vancouver, Fisk represented a number of local clubs as a youth 鈥� including Grandview Legion Football Club, Vancouver Athletic FC, the Italian Canadian Sports Federation, Marpole Soccer Club, and the Vancouver Selects 鈥� before he was recruited into the Vancouver Whitecaps鈥� residency program at the age of 16, after playing for their prospecting side from the age of 13.
He made his professional debut with the club in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Reserve League in 2012.
Fisk would go on to play professionally for the Charleston Battery in the USL Pro, Spain鈥檚 Coruxo FC and Deportivo B, FC Edmonton in the North American Soccer League and the Republic of Ireland鈥檚 Derry City FC, where he won a League of Ireland Cup and competed in the Europa League, before his return to Canada in 2019.
Fisk鈥檚 career came full circle in early 2024, when he returned to Vancouver to join VFC.
鈥淚t still feels surreal,鈥� he said of the opportunity to wrap up his playing days in his hometown.
Off the field, Fisk currently serves as the first vice-president of PFA Canada, the players鈥� union for Canadian and Canada-based professionals employed by CPL teams and other Canadian players.
鈥淚 had the immense pleasure of working with Ben during his final season as a professional footballer at Vancouver FC," said Afshin Ghotbi, head coach of VFC.
"His passion, professionalism, and charismatic personality has left a lasting impression on everyone involved in the club. As one phase of his remarkable career comes to a close, a new and exciting journey begins. I鈥檓 eagerly looking forward to working alongside Ben off the field as we continue to soar to new heights together."
In addition to Thursday's announcement about Fisk, Vancouver FC has already confirmed 14 players who have signed to its 2025 roster.
The list includes goalkeepers Niko Giantsopoulos and Callum Irving, defenders Elage Bah, Matteo Campagna, Paris Gee, and David Norman Jr., as well as midfielders James Cameron, Tyler Crawford, Vasco Fry, Grady McDonnell, and TJ Tahid, plus forwards Mikael Cantave, Alejandro D矛az, and Jose Navarro.
