Forge FC Re-Signs Team Captain Kyle Bekker

Despite summertime rumours that a new stint in Major League Soccer may be in the works, Forge FC Captain Kyle Bekker has officially re-signed with the two-time Canadian Premier League champions.

Today, the Hamilton-based club confirmed the return of the 2020 Canadian Premier League Player of the Year, who scored four goals in eleven appearances at last year’s Island Games bubble tournament as he led the side to consecutive league honours.

While the club did not reveal the length of his contract, Director of Football Costa Smyrniotis implied that it was a multi-year deal in stating that he had committed to the club for the ‘foreseeable future’:

We are extremely happy to have our captain sign his new contract and commit to our club for the foreseeable future. Kyle has been such a valuable leader for our club since day one, both on the field and in the community. We look forward to continued success together in Hamilton.

Costa Smyrniotis

Bekker is tied with Daniel Krutzen as the club’s all-time appearance leader, having made 49 appearances for the hammers across all competitions. While the club has silverware to show for its domestic success, both the player and the club have also impressed in continental action, too: the side surpassed expectations in two separate Concacaf League runs, coming one match away from qualifying for the Concacaf Champions League this year.

Bekker will have another opportunity to make history with his self-described fairytale experience with Forge FC, with the team captain now set to lead the side in a Canadian Championship Final against Toronto FC in the near future.

The Oakville-born athlete had previously spent several years in Major League Soccer, playing for Toronto FC, FC Dallas, and the Montreal Impact. Prior to joining Forge FC as the club’s first-ever Captain, he won an NASL championship with the San Fracisco Deltas before spending a year in the USL with North Carolina FC.

Bekker has also made 18 appearances for the Canadian national team between 2012 and 2017, recording two assists for Les Rouges.

Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis has indicated that he intends to keep the majority of his title-winning players, stating that he would sprinkle in some new signings ahead of the 2021 Canadian Premier League season. The club may need to sort out its playing roster sooner than most, since the belated Canadian Championship Final will likely take place before the MLS season starts in April.

Bekker is currently the only confirmed Forge FC player for the upcoming season, though the club is expected to re-sign Gabriel Balbinotti after retaining his developmental contract rights by way of a new CPL-U SPORTS Draft rule.

Forge FC did not disclose the length or financial details of Bekker’s contract.