Longtime Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert retires

Midfielder Russell Teibert has announced his retirement from soccer after a 16-year career spent with Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps.

The defensive midfielder enjoyed a successful spell with Vancouver, lifting three Canadian Championships in 2015, 2022 and 2023 while scoring five goals and dishing out 24 assists in 301 appearances in all competitions.

The 31-year-old departs the beautiful game as a player and is now set to stay with the Whitecaps in a front office role after he saw a limited 2023 in which he made just seven appearances and played 147 minutes in MLS action. Teibert leaves his mark on the Whitecaps' record books, with his 301 appearances fourth-most in team history and the most MLS appearances in club history with 253.

"First of all, we want to congratulate Russell on an incredible career and thank him for all his contributions to the club over these last 16 years as a player. It is uncommon in today's times that a player plays his whole career for one club. From the first day that he stepped into this club at the age of 15, he has represented the club in an outstanding way," Vancouver chief executive officer and sporting director Axel Schuster said in a release.

"Few understand more what this club has been through and what matters for the people in the city. He has built relationships in our community and across the province. All of those values that he has, in addition to being a longstanding player for us, he will now bring to the club in a different role."

Teibert featured 27 times for the Canada national team, scoring two goals in the process.

"Years ago, I made a promise to myself and to our club; I would only be satisfied taking my work boots off when our jersey was in a better place. We've been though the mud together and have had to clean our boots time and time again," Teibert said.

"Our climb has only made us stronger. Today I hang my boots proudly, knowing we made good on that promise."

The Whitecaps begin their 2024 MLS campaign on Saturday, March 2 at BC Place against Eastern Conference club Charlotte FC.