Vancouver FC has made another move to fill their 23-man roster with the signing of midfielder Ivan Mejia on a contract until the end of the 2023 Canadian Premier League season. The 22-year-old has experience from across B.C. and has played at almost every level of soccer in the province.
“I have worked so hard for this moment and having it finally come through is a feeling I can’t describe,” said Mejia.
The midfielder joins VFC from the TSS Rovers of League1 BC after spending the last two seasons with them. He made 12 total appearances for the Rovers, including one playoff appearance, and registered six goals in 2023.
Mejia was also a part of the Rovers squad who made history in the Canadian Championship this year. He started in both CanChamp matches for the League1 team and scored the eventual game-winning goal against Valour FC in the preliminary round of the tournament to advance the Rovers into the next stage.
“I’m so happy to sign my first professional contract with Vancouver FC,” states Mejia. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to play in my hometown with VFC and for management’s belief in me.”
The Colombian-Canadian also comes from a U SPORTS background, representing the University of Fraser Valley in the 2022-23 season. The first-year rookie started in all 15 matches for the Cascades and scored two goals on the season. He also played the entirety of a 120-minute playoff match against the Mount Royal University Cougars which went into double overtime to decide a winner.
“As we continue to improve the selection of our squad in hopes to qualify for the playoffs, we are thrilled to bring on Ivan Mejia,” said Afshin Ghotbi, Head Coach of Vancouver FC. “[Mejia] brings a tremendous amount of energy, pace and attacking qualities as a shifty, inverted winger, who will be able to provide goal-scoring opportunities.”
Before heading to the Rovers, Mejia played for teams in both the Fraser Valley Soccer League and the Vancouver Metro Soccer League. He spent time with FC Tigers, where he scored 10 goals in a single season, as well as the North Vancouver Football Club and BB5 United.
As a child, Mejia started playing soccer in Colombia with Deportivo Cali’s academy program before moving to Canada with his family when he was 14 years old. He then continued playing youth soccer with Mountain United FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy.
Fans can watch Vancouver FC’s newest addition in action at Willoughby Park on Sunday, August 6th. The Women & Girls in Sport match will kick off at 2 p.m. but fans are encouraged to arrive early to meet and greet professional female athletes. Tickets to Sunday’s match are still available to purchase either online through this link or in person at the Langley Event Centre.
