Vancouver FC today announced it has transferred attacker Gabriel Bitar to York United FC. As part of the transaction, the Eagles will receive York United’s first pick in the 2026 CPL-U SPORTS Draft.
The club has declined the 2025 options on contracts for defenders Kadin Chung and Anthony White as well as for midfielders Renan Garcia, Olivier Rommens and Zachary Verhoven.
The club also confirmed free agents Rocco Romeo and Austin Ricci will not return to the club in 2025.
Vancouver FC would like to thank all its departing players for their service while at the club and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.
Attacker – Gabriel Bitar
Bitar becomes one of several inaugural 2023 members to depart the Langley-based club this offseason, with the attacking player being offloaded in a trade with York United that see VFC receive York United’s first pick in the 2026 CPL-U SPORTS Draft.
The Carleton Raven alumni joined the Eagles after playing for CPL outfits Cavalry FC and FC Edmonton prior to VFC’s inaugural 2023 season. Gaby had a standout season in 2023 leading the Eagles in goals, with six, and assists with four. Bitar’s attacking threat and impressive form saw him called to represent Lebanon on multiple occasions. In the 2023/24 offseason Bitar was included in the Lebanon squad for the 2023 AFC Asia Cup in Qatar, with Gaby playing at the Lusail stadium in front of over 80,000 fans.
VFC’s “Honeyman” earned Matchweek 12 CPL Player of the Week in 2024 after scoring two goals, including a spectacular long-range goal against Forge FC in a 3-3 draw at Tim Hortons Field on July 5th. Bitar leaves Vancouver FC as their all time outfield appearance leader making 53 appearances for VFC in all competitions. Bitar leaves VFC as their all-time combined goals and assists leader with 16.
Defender – Rocco Romeo
Having been an integral member of Vancouver FC since their inaugural season in 2023, Rocco Romeo leaves the Eagles having made 50 appearances over all competitions, being one of only three VFC players to have surpassed the half century mark. The defender contributed as an excellent servant to the club and community over his two-year stint, winning 2023 Fanatics Player of the Year and Vancouver FC 2023 Community Involvement Player of the Year. 2024 saw him win another two end of season awards for Vancouver FC’s Community Leader of the Year and the Vancouver FC’s Fans Choice Award.
In 2024 Romeo notched his first goal for Vancouver FC in their match against Halifax Wanderers on April 19th and got his second goal as an Eagle against Forge FC on May 18th.
Rocco Romeo leaves the Eagles as the only other VFC player to have captained the club after donning the armband against the Halifax Wanderers in 2023 in a 2-1 win for the Eagles on July 7th.
Midfielder – Renan Garcia
The Brazilian midfield stalwart joined Vancouver FC midseason in 2023 to bring experience and leadership to the locker room. Garcia’s presence was immediately felt within the squad as he started all 14 matches after signing in the 2023 season, playing all but three minutes. Garcia notched his only goal for Vancouver FC in a 3-1 loss away to Cavalry FC as he blasted his long range effort past Marco Carducci. Renan also registered his only assist for VFC in 2023.
Vancouver FC elected to bring back Garcia for the 2024 CPL season activating his option alongside Mikael Cantave and Vasco Fry. Garcia went on to lead Vancouver FC outfield players in minutes played for 2024, clocking in 2247 minutes and appearing in all but one match for the Eagles. Garcia, set to turn 39 years-old in 2025, leaves the Eagles having made 42 appearances across all competitions for Vancouver FC across two seasons.
Defender – Kadin Chung
Former x right back Kadin Chung will leave Vancouver FC. The Coquitlam Metro Ford alumni was deployed across several positions by Afshin Ghotbi during his time with the Eagles, but predominately played at right back. Chung joined VFC after spending several seasons at Toronto FC and Pacific FC prior to Vancouver FC’s inception.
Chung’s 2023 Canadian Premier League campaign was interrupted after suffering a broken collar bone injury when competing for an aerial duel against Malcom Shaw in the second half of VFC’s 5-0 loss to Atlético Ottawa in May. Despite his injury Chung managed to make 13 appearances and register one assist in his debut campaign with the Eagles.
Kadin’s second season with Vancouver FC saw him make 19 appearances in 2024 and improve his offensive output tallying two assists. Despite Chung’s stronger performances in 2024 Vancouver FC elected to decline his option to allow the full-back looks to pursue new opportunities, however Vancouver Football Club remain in contract discussions to bring Kadin back for 2025.
Defender – Anthony White
Vancouver FC selected Anthony White first overall in the 2023 CPL U-SPORTS Draft before signing the Coquitlam-native to a guaranteed two-year contract through 2024. Anthony made 20 appearances in his debut campaign with the Eagles, often partnering alongside Rocco Romeo and former VFC defender Ibrahim Bakare. White contributed 1500 minutes to Vancouver FC’s domestic U-21 minute threshold requirements and managed an assist against York United after playing a deep cross-field pass to Shaan Hundal. At the end of the 2023 CPL Season Anthony White was selected as a member of the CPL NextGen class of 2023, recognized for his one-on-one defending, range of passing, and defensive vision.
Vancouver FC declined Anthony White’s option for the 2025 CPL Season, following a limited campaign in 2024 that saw White make one appearance for the Eagles in a 1-1 draw at home to Atlético Ottawa in May.
Midfielder – Olivier Rommens
The Eagles acquired free-agent Belgian midfielder Olivier Rommens in July on a guaranteed deal through 2024. The 29 year-old made 14 appearances for Vancouver FC, which included playing the full 90 minutes in two of VFC’s four wins following his arrival.
Vancouver FC declined Rommens option for the 2025 Canadian Premier League season.
Midfielder – Zach Verhoven
Verhoven joined the Eagles for the 2024 season after playing for Atletico Ottawa for three seasons, and was previously selected by Pacific FC in 2019 via the inaugural CPL-U SPORTS Draft. After a promising preseason Verhoven battled with injury at the beginning of the CPL regular season and struggled to cement himself in the matchday squad on a consistent basis.
Verhoven finished the season having made four appearances for Vancouver FC.
Forward – Austin Ricci
Vancouver FC completed a late season trade for Austin Ricci with five matches left in the regular season, sending Kembo Kibato to York United to secure the services of the clinical striker. Ricci joined VFC making the Langley-based team his third stop in the CPL after previously playing for Valour FC and York United.
Ricci got off to a hot start with VFC, assisting TJ Tahid against Forge FC on his debut. Unfortunately Ricci received a suspension for yellow card accumulation away to Halifax Wanderers and missed a golden opportunity to win the match for the Eagles. Ricci’s appearance against Halifax would go down as his last in VFC colours.
What’s Next?
Vancouver FC has now signed 12 players to its 2025 roster. The club will announce further roster updates in the coming days. The Eagles recently launched Season Memberships for the upcoming 2025 Canadian Premier League Season.
The contracts for Allan Enyou, Moses Dyer, Joey Buchanan and Sebastian Dzikowski expired at the end of 2024. The club has invited Dzikowski back for preseason. The club is in talks with Joey Buchanan in regards to a extension to his Development Contract for 2025. Moses Dyer has since been announced as a signing for League 1 Ireland’s Galway United.
Vancouver FC Roster as of Jan. 13, 2025:
Goalkeepers: Niko Giantsopoulos, Callum Irving
Defenders: Elage Bah, Paris Gee, David Norman Jr.,
Midfielders: Ben Fisk, Vasco Fry, Grady McDonnell, TJ Tahid
Forwards: Mikaël Cantave, Alejandro Dìaz, José Navarro
