Vancouver FC is making changes as it prepares for it鈥檚 second season.
Some names will be returning in 2024; goalkeeper Callum Irving, who was the very first player signed by the expansion Canadian Premier League pro soccer team; 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 鈥楾J鈥� Tahid, who at 16, was the youngest player to be signed in league history.
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Others won鈥檛 be coming back, or will have to compete at training camp for a spot on the roster.
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鈥檚 picks in the 2023 CPL- U SPORTS draft, is out following the expiration of his one-year deal.
Midfielder Lennon Thompson, who signed a developmental contract with the club in May 2023, will not return.
Mejia, Moazeni Zadeh and Kinani have all been invited to the club鈥檚 pre-season trainingto compete for slots on Vancouver鈥檚 2024 roster.
The roster update was announced on Friday, Jan,.5.
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鈥淲e would like to thank Min-jae, Ivan, Nima, Ameer, and Lennon for their dedication and hard work throughout VFC鈥檚 first season,鈥� Vancouver FC Head Coach Afshin Ghotbi commented.
鈥淭hey each played a part in building the legacy of this club, and we wish them all the best in the future.鈥�
Kwak, 23, joined Vancouver鈥檚 inaugural roster from the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), the third tier of professional soccer in the United States.
Moazeni Zadeh, 26, was one of three players who joined VFC鈥檚 inaugural roster out of open trials after representing Capilano University at the collegiate level, as well as BB5 United and FC Tigers Vancouver. The midfielder made 10 starts in 12 appearances before suffering an injury that forced him to the sidelines.
Mejia, 22, joined Vancouver from TSS Rovers of League1 BC. The midfielder made one appearance 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. 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.
