Vancouver FC Retains Goalkeeper Duo Of Irving, Giantsopoulos

The goalkeeper union at Vancouver FC will remain unchanged as the club heads into its third season with Afshin Ghotbi at the helm.

Today the club has confirmed goalkeepers Callum Irving and Niko Giantsopoulos have both signed new deals, with club captain Irving on a two-year deal and Giantsopoulos locked in for 2025.

Callum Irving will be a key member of the team: making history as the club’s first signing, he donned the captain’s armband and featured in every single possible minute through the 2024 CPL season. He’s recorded ten clean sheets in 56 appearances for The Eagles so far, and is the assumed number one heading into year three.

“It’s no secret that this club holds a special place in my heart. From playing in front of my family, friends, and partner, to all the amazing people I’ve met in the stands and within the club, I truly feel like I am home,” says Irving. “I’m so excited to re-sign with VFC and play my part in pushing the club forward and can’t wait to see everyone out at Willoughby in 2025.”

Often under fire as the Vancouver defence finds its roots, Irving has led the league for shots saved through both previous seasons, making league history with a record 95 stops last year. That got him a golden glove nomination for the third time in his CPL career.

He’ll be backed by thirty-year-old veteran keeper Niko Giantsopoulos, who arrived from York United last season but went all year without making a first team appearance. The former Nine Stripes number one has pushed Irving well in training, with the club keen to keep him in place for another year.

Niko Giantsopoulos: ‘Now That I Left York, Vancouver’s Getting All Of Me’

“I believe in this project and this club. I really loved working with all the people involved around the team in 2024 and the opportunity to come back was something I couldn’t refuse,” says Giantsopoulos, who also revealed that he is working to prepare himself for a career off the pitch in whatever role that may be.

Giantsopoulos had claimed 14 clean sheets in 55 appearances for York United, establishing himself as the de facto starter following the departure of Nathan Ingham. He then spent last offseason training with Cavalry, for whom he previously made ten appearances, before landing out further west with Vancouver.

The return of both goalkeepers leaves the known Vancouver roster twelve players deep, with striker Moses Dyer having turned down an offer for an opportunity in Ireland.

More signing news is expected in the near future as the club aims to push for its first-ever postseason berth in the 2025 CPL season.

Header Image Photo Credit: Beau Chevalier / Vancouver FC