After a full season abroad with Vancouver FC, English defender Ibrahim Bakare is leaving the Eagles to start a new chapter.

“On behalf of everyone at VFC, I would like to extend a big thank you to Ibrahim for his contribution to our historic first season in the CPL,” said Afshin Ghotbi, Head Coach, Vancouver FC.

Barake joined VFC as one of the few international athletes on the inaugural squad in March 2023 after travelling across the Atlantic to make his Canadian Premier League (CPL) debut. The 21-year-old brought his English professional soccer experiences from the likes of Cardiff City F.C., Morecambe F.C., and Cheshunt F.C. to Willoughby Park and became a part of a young but solid backline.

Starting on Apr. 15, 2023 for VFC’s season opener, Bakare made 17 starts in the club’s first 20 matches, including an appearance in his first Canadian Championship competition on Apr. 19, 2023. The native of London, Eng., accumulated 1715 minutes during the CPL regular season and ranked second amongst the Eagles’ for blocks (18), clearances (61), and duels won (123). 

 “We wish him monumental success and achievements in his future career,” said Ghotbi.

Vancouver now has 18 confirmed players on its 2024 roster including goalkeeper Callum Irving; defenders Kadin Chung, Rocco Romeo, Tyler Crawford, Anthony White, James Cameron, Paris Gee, and David Norman; midfielders Elliot Simmons, Ben Fisk, Vasco Fry, Renan Garcia, and Grady McDonnell; and forwards Alejandro ‘Wero’ Díaz, Mouhamadou ‘Mamadou’ Kane, Gabriel Bitar, Taryck ‘TJ’ Tahid, Mikaël Cantave.