Ivan Mejia

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Mejia and the second or maternal family name is Yepes.
Ivan Mejia
Personal information
Full name Ivan Francisco Mejia Yepes
Date of birth (2001-05-09) May 9, 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Medellín, Colombia
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Al Qabila
Number 77
Youth career
Deportivo Cali
2015–2018 Mountain United FC
2018–2019 Vancouver Whitecaps
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 UFV Cascades 15 (2)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 TSS Rovers 11+ (6+)
2023 Vancouver FC 1 (0)
2024 TSS Rovers 10 (2)
2024– Al Qabila 5 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 23, 2024

Ivan Francisco Mejia Yepes (born May 9, 2001) is a Colombian footballer who plays for the Al Qabila in UAE Third Division League.

Early life

Mejia began playing youth soccer in Colombia with Deportivo Cali.[1] At age 14, he moved to Canada with his family, where he began playing with Mountain United FC.[2][3] In August 2018, he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy in August 2018.[4][5] He later played at the senior amateur level with North Vancouver FC, BB5 United, and FC Tigers Vancouver.[6]

University career

In 2022, he began attending the University of the Fraser Valley, where he played for the men's soccer team.[7] On September 18, he scored his first goal in a 5–3 victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies.[8] He scored his second goal on September 30 against the UBC Okanagan Heat.[9] At the end of the season, he was named to the Canada West All-Rookie Team.[10]

Club career

In 2022, he joined semi-professional side TSS FC Rovers in League1 British Columbia.[4] On April 19, 2023, he scored in a Canadian Championship upset victory over professional Canadian Premier League side Valour FC.[11]

In August 2023, he signed a professional contract with Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League, after having begun training with the club in late June.[12][13] On August 6, he made his professional debut in a substitute appearance against Valour FC.[14]

In September 2024, he signed with Al Qabila in UAE Third Division League.[15]

Career statistics

As of August 4, 2024[16]
Club Season League Playoffs National cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
TSS FC Rovers 2022 League1 British Columbia ? ? ? ? – – ? ?
2023[17] 11 6 1 0 2 1 – 14 7
Vancouver FC 2023 Canadian Premier League 1 0 – 0 0 – 1 0
TSS FC Rovers 2024 League1 British Columbia 10 2 2 1 1 0 – 13 3
Al Qabila 2024–25[18] UAE Third Division League 5 1 – – – 5 1
Career total 27 9 3 1 3 1 0 0 33 11

References

  1. ^ Jacques, John (June 24, 2023). "Roving Around: Vancouver FC Eyes Ivan Mejia". Northern Tribune.
  2. ^ "Vancouver FC signs Colombian-Canadian Ivan Mejia". Canadian Premier League. August 5, 2023.
  3. ^ Nava, David (23 August 2023). "Ivan Mejia, a true berraco". Vancouver FC.
  4. ^ a b McColl, Michael (May 14, 2022). "TSS Rovers 2022 League1 BC squad profile (Part Four – Forwards)". Away from the Numbers.
  5. ^ "Ivan Mejia Whitecaps profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
  6. ^ "Vancouver FC adds Ivan Mejia to their roster". Vancouver FC. August 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Ivan Mejia Yepes UFV profile". UFV Cascades.
  8. ^ "MSOC: Goals galore as Cascades take down Huskies 5-3". UFV Cascades. September 18, 2022.
  9. ^ Arthur, Jordie (September 30, 2022). "MSOC: Mejia, Richardson score as Cascades knock off Heat 2-1". UFV Cascades.
  10. ^ Arthur, Jordie (October 27, 2022). "MSOC: Richardson earns 1st Team All-Star honours and Mejia picks up All-Rookie Team nod". UFV Cascades.
  11. ^ "Semi-pro TSS Rovers FC upset CPL's Valour FC in Canadian Championship". Toronto Star. April 19, 2023.
  12. ^ Lypka, Ben (August 15, 2023). "UFV's Ivan Mejia signs with Vancouver FC". Langley Advance Times.
  13. ^ Jacques, John (August 5, 2023). "TSS Rovers Midfielder Ivan Mejia Turns Pro With Vancouver FC". Northern Tribune.
  14. ^ Arthur, Jordie (August 11, 2023). "MSOC: Mejia makes professional debut for Vancouver FC". UFV Cascades.
  15. ^ "We are pleased to announce Ivan Mejia as Al Qabila's latest signing". Al Qabila FC. Instagram. September 25, 2024.
  16. ^ Ivan Mejia at Soccerway
  17. ^ "2023 Ivan Mejia L1BC Stats". League1 British Columbia.
  18. ^ "Ivan Mejia UAE Stats". United Arab Emirates Football Association.