VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Tosaint Ricketts announced his retirement on Tuesday, concluding a 14-year professional playing career that included playing for clubs in eight different countries. Additionally, Ricketts will remain with the club as liaison of club and player engagement.
“As I look back on my soccer career, I can't help but feel a sense of joy and fulfillment,” said Ricketts. "I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this journey - my family, friends, coaches, teammates and of course, the supporters! Your belief and dedication supporting me has been invaluable. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to represent you on the field, and will continue to do so in my retirement. I am committed to do everything in my power to push the game of soccer in this country and provide future generations with all the opportunities to achieve their dreams. Thank you for being a part of my journey!”
Tosaint Ricketts – Career Accomplishments
- 93 goals in 388 professional appearances for club & country
- 17 goals in 61 appearances for Canada’s men’s national team
- Made two starts & three appearances at the 2007 U-20 FIFA World Cup with Canada
- Three-time Canadian Championship winner with Whitecaps FC (2022) and Toronto FC (2017, 2018)
- 2017 MLS Cup winner & Supporters’ Shield winner with Toronto FC
- 2019 Lithuanian Super Cup winner with FK Sūduva Marijampole
- Seven goals in 13 starts & 65 appearances across all competitions for Whitecaps FC
- Named VWFC Humanitarian of the Year three consecutive seasons (2020, 2021, 2022)
- 22 goals, five assists across 119 appearances in MLS
“First of all, we want to congratulate Tosaint on an incredible career and thank him for all his contributions on the field for our club,” said Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC chief executive officer and sporting director. “He has been a key presence in our locker room with his leadership qualities and showed a desire to give his all every time he put on our jersey. We are excited to continue having Tosaint as part of our club in his role of liaison of club and player engagement. ”
Ricketts, 35, ends his playing career having scored 93 goals in 388 professional appearances for club and country. At the international level, Ricketts recorded 17 goals across 42 starts and 61 appearances for Canada’s men’s national team in Concacaf Gold Cup, Concacaf World Cup Qualifying and international friendly competition.
The native of Edmonton, Alberta tallied seven goals as well as three assists in 65 appearances across all competitions for Whitecaps FC. In addition, Ricketts claimed his third-career Voyageurs Cup medal as he helped the ‘Caps win the 2022 Canadian Championship.
Before joining the ‘Caps in 2019, Ricketts spent a season playing for Lithuanian top flight side FK Sūduva Marijampole, where he scored 10 goals and added one assist. He also won the Lithuanian Super Cup with Sūduva, scoring the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over FK Zalgiris Vilnius.
Ricketts' previous experience in MLS came with Toronto FC, who he joined mid-way through the 2016 regular season. The forward went on to tally 16 goals as well as three assists in 66 appearances across three seasons for the Reds. In terms of accolades, Ricketts helped Toronto win the 2017 MLS Cup, 2017 Supporters’ Shield as well as both the 2017 and 2018 editions of the Canadian Championship.
Prior to his time with Toronto FC, Ricketts played for clubs in six other countries, starting with Finnish side Myllykosken Pallo in 2009. The forward made 51 appearances, recorded 14 goals along with two assists across all competitions.
Ricketts then made the move to Romania to join FC Politehnica Timisoara, which folded in 2012 and is now known as ACS Poli Timisoara. Ricketts tallied seven goals and four assists for Timisoara in 26 appearances across all competitions.
From there, Ricketts went to Norway for a pair of short stints with Vålerenga, where he scored a goal in three appearances, and Sandnes Ulf, where he tallied two goals in 14 appearances.
In 2013, Ricketts took his talents to Turkey, joining at-the-time second division side Bucaspor. Ricketts made 20 starts and 26 appearances for the “Storm”, adding nine goals and five assists across all competitions.
Following a season with Bucaspor, Ricketts moved to Israel to join Hapoel Haifa. Ricketts tallied a goal as well as an assist and made 30 appearances, playing the majority as a fullback.
Ricketts returned to Turkey the following season to join another second division side in the form of Boluspor, making 18 appearances and adding a goal in league and cup competition.
At the youth level, Ricketts was called up to Canada’s roster for the 2007 U-20 FIFA World Cup, where he made two starts and three appearances in the tournament. He also played at the college level for Green Bay Phoenix at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay.
