Bekks is back: Forge FC captain returns for 5th season

Hamilton | Oakville | Soccer | Sports |

By

Published March 7, 2023 at 2:40 pm

kyle bekker canadian premier league cpl forge fc hamilton resign re-sign
Forge FC announced Tuesday that the franchise's one and only captain, Kyle Bekker, is returning to Hamilton for a fifth CPL season. (Jojo Qian/Forge FC photo)

Forge FC will have their captain in the midfield for at least two more seasons. Hamilton’s Canadian Premier League franchise made Kyle Bekker’s return official on Tuesday — not that it was ever in doubt.

Bekker was Forge’s first-ever signing, and he’s the club’s only captain.

The 32-year-old Oakville native has guided Forge to all four CPL Finals — winning three.

Bekker was the league’s Player of the Year in 2020 and runner-up for the award in 2019 and 2022.

“Since day one, Kyle has been such an important leader of our club both on and off the field, “ said Costa Smyrniotis, Forge FC Director of Football and Business. “His unwavering commitment to our club and growing the game in our community is so strong. We look forward to continued success together for years to come.”

Bekker was the first CPL player to reach the 100-match milestone. He’s made 117 total appearances for Forge over four seasons, including 94 in CPL play, 15 in Concacaf League, two in Concacaf Champions League, and six Canadian Championship matches.

 

Bekker has registered 15 goals and 14 assists in all competitions.

Prior to joining Forge, Bekker played in 58 Major League Soccer regular season games from 2013-16, including 33 starts, with Toronto FC, FC Dallas, and the Montreal Impact after being selected third overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto.

In 2017, Bekker played with the North American Soccer League’s San Francisco Deltas, where he led the club to a league championship.

He spent 2018 with North Carolina FC in the United Soccer League, earning USL All-League Second Team honours.

Bekker graduated from Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis’ Sigma FC youth academy and went on to spend four years at Boston College from 2009-12.

Bekker has 18 senior caps internationally, including 10 starts, with the Canadian Men’s National Team from 2012-17.

INthehammer's Editorial Standards and Policies