Last week, Vancouver FC made their first announcement on roster changes for the 2024 season with four goodbyes. Today, the club is sharing the current status of another eight players all of whom will have their contracts expire at the end of the year.
The currently updated status of these eight players is: no status; as Vancouver enters the negotiation phase with pending free agents.
Vancouver announced they have entered talks with forwards Mikaël Cantave and Ameer Kinani, midfielders Renan Garcia, Ivan Mejia, and Nima Moazeni Zadeh, and defenders Min-jae Kwak and Lennon Thompson. Additionally, Vasco Fry has completed his loan from Vancouver Whitecaps FC II but the Eagles have expressed their interest in exploring further options with the midfielder’s home club.
“We are actively engaged in discussion with targeted players,” said VFC’s Head Coach Afshin Ghotbi.
Some of those presumed “targeted players” could include the mid-season game-changers Cantave, Garcia, and Fry. Prior to the introduction of these players, Vancouver was last in the Canadian Premier League (CPL) with a record of 2-6-4 (W-L-D). After the final arrival of Fry in August, the Eagles found a new stride in team chemistry which resulted in registering five wins, including a three-game winning streak, and lifted themselves out of the Wooden Spoon position.
Garcia and Fry both brought consistency and leadership to the midfield. The duo also put themselves on Vancouver’s scoresheet by registering both one goal and one assist each this season. Cantave provided a refreshed attacking pressure by registering four goals since joining the Eagles. The forward had a record season in the CPL, setting a career-high of six goals and tying his previous record of two assists.
Day one’s Kwak and Kinani are also part of the negotiation group with each of them making more than 20 appearances for the Eagles in 2023. Both players registered one goal in Vancouver’s inaugural season while Kwak led the squad in tackles won with 47.
The final players entering negotiations include Moazeni Zadeh, who made 12 consecutive starts at the beginning of the season before struggling with injury, Mejia, who made his professional debut in 2023, and developmental player Lennon Thompson, who received professional training and three appearances with the Eagles.
“We’re striving to secure a talented, deep, and well-balanced selection for the 2024 season,” said Ghotbi.
With key players’ futures balancing on the brink of free agency, Vancouver will be hard at work securing the best pieces possible for an exciting upcoming season. The only question remains: who will they be?
Support the growth of local football and join us for all the action next season! 2024 Season Memberships are on sale now starting at only $18.57 per match! Click here to learn more information: https://vancouverfc.canpl.ca/2024seasonmemberships/
