Vancouver Whitecaps striker Tosaint Ricketts announced has announced his retirement after a playing career that spanned 14 years and included clubs in eight different countries.
“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 [in] 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.”
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Ricketts started his playing career during his time at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. From there, he moved across the Atlantic Ocean to Finland in 2009, playing for Veikkausliiga club Myllykosken Pallo -47. In 40 matches, Ricketts put up nine goals and two assists.
From Finland, he joined Romanian club Politehnica Timișoara. He stayed there for three seasons, scoring seven goals during his time.
But it was back to Scandinavia with Norwegian side Vålerenga. But he found playing time different there and eventually joined Sandnes Ulf a year later. Success still eluded him, finishing his time there with zero goals in 12 games.
In 2013, Ricketts’s journey led to Turkey with Bucaspor in the first division. It was here where he began to find his form once more. He played 25 matches that year, scoring nine goals.
That season earned him a move to Hapoel Haifa in the Israeli Premier League. He played only one season there before returning to Turkey with Boluspor. But a dispute over unpaid wages led to him ending his time there in 2016.
After his overseas adventures, Ricketts returned to Canada with Toronto FC. In three seasons, he had 13 goals and one assist. He also helped his club win the MLS Cup in 2017 and two Canadian Championships in 2017 and 2018.
In 2019, he returned to Europe once more with Lithuanian top-flight side FK Sūduva Marijampole. He tallied 10 goals and an assist and helped his club win the Lithuanian Super Cup.
Ricketts joined Vancouver Whitecaps in 2019. He had four seasons with the Whitecaps, performing in a super-sub role toward the end of his career. He had a tally of seven goals and three assists during his time with the club. He won the Canadian Championship for a third time in 2022 with Vancouver.
The Canadian international will remain with the Whitecaps as the liaison of club and player engagement.
