Forge FC’s Costa Smyrniotis Makes Big Move To League Office

The Canadian Premier League has secured the services of Forge FC’s Director of Football and Business, Costa Smyrniotis, who now joins the league head office as the CPL’s Executive Vice President of Soccer.

Smyrniotis has been a tireless engine helping assemble and maintain Forge’s 100% appearance streak in the league finals, with the hammers winning three of four North Star Shield trophies with his help – though he largely operated behind the scenes aside from press releases.

The move follows the departure of the CPL’s former Director of Football, Oliver Gage, back in November. Gage subsequently joined SixFive Sports and Entertainment, who own Pacific FC and Vancouver FC.

Costa’s roots in Canadian soccer run deep: he helped launched Sigma FC in 2005, with the academy going on to develop several current and former Canadian national team stars whilst also now serving as a feeder club to Forge.

He also launched a player agency which has been has grown significantly along with the CPL, with Smyrniotis establishing a reputation for sharp business and soccer acumen through all walks of the game.

The result is someone Canadian Premier League Commissioner Mark Noonan will entrust with growing the league’s long-term goals both on and off the pitch, with a focus on improving the quality of play, entertainment value, and expanding the CPL’s global profile – something he went three for three with whilst with Forge.

“Costa is one of the most accomplished soccer executives in Canada, on and off the field of play,” said Noonan of the hire. “He has a long track record of success at every level of the sport, bringing with him a unique understanding of the landscape and, importantly, how to tap into the vast opportunity in front of us.”

His new role in the league office is effective to be immediately, sparking an unexpectedly quick end to his time with three-time champions Forge FC, who retained nearly all of its title-winning squad during Costa’s final offseason with the team.

Costa, who had also previously held senior roles at companies like Mercedes-Benz Canada and TD Securities before moving to football full-time, said he was extremely excited for the opportunity.

“I am a very proud supporter of Canadian soccer and especially of all the talent we have in this country both on and off the field,” concluded Costa. “I am always led by a football-first philosophy, and I am confident we can continue to grow our game in this country over the years to come.”

The Canadian Premier League also recently added Marni Dicker as its Executive Vice President of Infrastructure and Chief Legal Counsel. Both she and Costa will work alongside Mark Noonan in their new roles.