Gabriel Bitar

Bitar began playing soccer with the Ottawa Internationals at age four. He later joined the Ottawa Fury Academy.{{Cite web|url=https://apt613.ca/ottawas-gabriel-bitar-canpl/|title=Ottawa's Gabriel Bitar picked #1 in the inaugural CPL Draft|date=November 26, 2018|work=Apt 613|first=Josh|last=Lemoine}}

In 2017, Bitar began attending Carleton University playing for the men's soccer team. In his first year, he was the top scorer in the country with 16 goals, as he won the OUA East Division Rookie of the Year, OUA East Division MVP, and U Sports Rookie of the Year awards and was named a First Team All-Canadian and First-Team OUA East All-Star,{{Cite web|url=https://students.carleton.ca/2017/11/gabriel-bitar-named-u-sports-rookie-year-first-team-canadian/|title=Gabriel Bitar named U SPORTS Rookie of the Year and First-Team All-Canadian|date=November 9, 2017|work=Carleton University|access-date=March 26, 2022|archive-date=September 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921210734/https://students.carleton.ca/2017/11/gabriel-bitar-named-u-sports-rookie-year-first-team-canadian/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://ottawasportspages.ca/2017/11/30/ravens-rookie-leads-nations-capitals-mens-soccer-award-winners/|title=Ravens rookie leads nation's capital's men's soccer award winners|date=November 30, 2017|work=Ottawa Sportspages}} helping the Ravens to an OUA silver medal,{{cite web|url=https://charlatan.ca/2017/11/mens-soccer-takes-home-oua-silver/|title=Men's soccer takes home OUA silver|first=Kassia|last=Skorzewska|work=The Charlatan|date=November 8, 2017|access-date=March 26, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326151750/https://charlatan.ca/2017/11/mens-soccer-takes-home-oua-silver/|url-status=dead}} scoring an additional four goals during the national tournament.{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/video/best-moment-in-my-life-jubilant-bitar-credits-work-ethic-after-going-first-in-cpl-u-sports-draft|title='Best moment in my life': Jubilant Bitar credits work ethic after going first in CPL-U SPORTS Draft|date=November 14, 2018|first=Armen|last=Bedakian|work=Canadian Premier League}}

In 2018, he finished third in the OUA in goals with 13 and added another 5 in the national tournament, while being named a Second Team All-Canadian and First Team OUA All-Star,{{Cite web|url=https://goravens.ca/news/2018/11/msoc-bitar-taken-1st-overall-in-cpl-u-sports-draft/|title=Bitar taken 1st overall in CPL U SPORTS draft|date=November 13, 2018|work=Carleton Ravens}} as the Ravens won the bronze medal at the national championship.{{Cite web|url=https://charlatan.ca/2018/11/ravens-win-bronze-at-u-sports-nationals/|title=Ravens win bronze at U Sports Nationals|first=Emily|last=Wilson|work=The Charlatan|date=November 15, 2018}} In 2019, Bitar was a First Team OUA All-Star and Second Team All-Canadian.{{cite web|url=https://oua.ca/news/2019/10/31/10_31_2019_338.aspx|title=Ravens Conte, Gryphons Zis highlight multiple 2019 award wins for respective schools|date=October 31, 2019|work=Ontario University Athletics}}{{Cite web|url=https://charlatan.ca/2019/11/inside-the-ravens-race-for-gold-nationals/|title=Inside the Ravens' race for gold at nationals|first=Emily|last=Wilson|date=November 25, 2019|work=The Charlatan}}

After the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bitar returned for 2021, helping the Ravens win a silver medal at the national championships, while being named a Tournament All-Star{{Cite web|url=https://usports.ca/en/championships/soccer/m/news/2021/11/2636414202/gold-medal-final-montreal-crowned-men-s-soccer-champions-in-epic-final-win-over-carleton|title=Montreal wins U SPORTS men's soccer champions in epic final|date=November 21, 2021|work=U Sports}} as well as an OUA East All-Star during the season.{{Cite web|url=https://oua.ca/news/2021/11/11/mens-soccer-top-divisional-players-doros-kovacevic-yuma-headline-2021-award-winners-and-all-stars.aspx|title=Top divisional players Doros, Kovacevic, Yuma headline 2021 award winners and all-stars|date=November 11, 2021|work=Ontario University Athletics}}

Bitar was part of the Ottawa Fury FC Academy and played for their Première ligue de soccer du Québec team in 2015 and 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://docplayer.fr/35484760-Guide-de-presse-2016-de-la-premiere-ligue-de-soccer-du-quebec.html|title=Guide de Presse 2016 de la Première ligue de soccer du Québec|trans-title=Press Guide 2016 of the Premier league of soccer of Quebec|language=fr|work=PLSQ}} In 2017, Bitar played for League1 Ontario side Ottawa South United, scoring six goals in thirteen league appearances,{{cite web |title=Gabriel Bitar |url=https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/17975412 |publisher=League1 Ontario |accessdate=12 February 2020}} and playing once in the L1O Cup.{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2017 |title=Durham United FA at Ottawa South United |url=http://www.league1ontario.com/game/show/17680449 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127084123/http://www.league1ontario.com/game/show/17680449 |archive-date=27 November 2017 |access-date=28 June 2022 |website=League1 Ontario}}

Bitar was the first overall draft pick in the inaugural CPL–U Sports Draft, where he was picked by Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League on November 12, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/local-soccer-star-selected-first-in-historic-cpl-draft-1.4905955|first=Mario|last=Carlucci|date=November 17, 2019|title=Carleton soccer star caps winning week with historic draft selection|work=CBC}}{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/video/he-scores-goals-wheeldon-jr-makes-dynamic-forward-gabriel-bitar-the-1st-u-sports-pick-in-cpl-history|title='He scores goals': Wheeldon Jr. makes 'dynamic' forward Gabriel Bitar the 1st U SPORTS pick in CPL history|date=November 13, 2018|work=Canadian Premier League}} He signed with the club on April 24, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://cavalryfc.canpl.ca/article/cavalry-fc-signs-u-sport-pick-gabriel-bitar|date=April 24, 2019|title=Cavalry FC Signs U Sport Pick Gabriel Bitar|work=Cavalry FC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424163723/https://cavalryfc.canpl.ca/article/cavalry-fc-signs-u-sport-pick-gabriel-bitar|archive-date=April 24, 2019|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/cavalry-fc-gabriel-bitar/|title=Gabriel Bitar Signs with Cavalry FC, Club Fills Roster|date=April 24, 2019|first=John|last=Jacques|work=Northern Tribune}} He made his debut for Cavalry against Pacific FC in a Canadian Championship match on May 16.{{cite web|url=https://www.canadasoccer.com/cavalry-fc-open-the-2019-canadian-championship-with-0-2-away-win-over-pacific-fc-p162176|date=May 16, 2019|title=Cavalry FC open the 2019 Canadian Championship with 0:2 away win over Pacific FC|work=Canadian Soccer Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517130422/https://www.canadasoccer.com/cavalry-fc-open-the-2019-canadian-championship-with-0-2-away-win-over-pacific-fc-p162176|archive-date=May 17, 2019|url-status=dead}} In August 2019, Cavalry announced that Bitar would return to Carleton University for the 2019 USports season.{{cite web|url=https://cavalryfc.canpl.ca/article/cavalry-fc-announces-gabriel-bitar-will-be-returning-to-carleton-university|title=Cavalry FC announces Gabriel Bitar will be returning to Carleton University|website=Cavalry FC|date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812232358/https://cavalryfc.canpl.ca/article/cavalry-fc-announces-gabriel-bitar-will-be-returning-to-carleton-university|archive-date=August 12, 2019|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/gabriel-bitar-carleton-university/|title=Cavalry FC Player Gabriel Bitar Returning To Carleton University|date=August 13, 2019|first=John|last=Jacques|work=Northern Tribune}} He was picked again by Cavalry in the 2019 CPL–U Sports Draft, this time sixth overall,{{Cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/live-2019-cpl-u-sports-draft-tracker-follow-all-14-picks|title=TRACKER: All 14 picks from the 2019 CPL-U Sports Draft|date=November 11, 2019|work=Canadian Premier League}} but he did not join them for the 2020 season.{{Cite web|url=https://49-sport.com/2020/08/14/cpl3/|title=CanPL Notebook #3: Who are the OUA alumni this season?|work=49 Sport|first=Benjamin|last=Steiner|date=August 14, 2020}}

In 2020, he returned to Ottawa South United, who moved from League1 Ontario to the Première Ligue de soccer du Québec,{{cite web|url=http://plsq.ca/actualites/ottawa-south-united-se-joint-a-la-plsq|trans-title=Ottawa South United Joins the PLSQ|title=Ottawa South United Se Joint à La PLSQ|date=January 30, 2020|work=Première Ligue de soccer du Québec}} where he previously played when he was a member of the Ottawa Fury Academy.{{Cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/al-ansar-gabriel-batar/|title=Gabriel Bitar Off To Hot Start In Lebanon|date=July 13, 2021|work=Northern Tribune|first=John|last=Jacques}}

On July 4, 2021, Bitar moved to Ansar in the Lebanese Premier League on trial for the 2021 Lebanese Elite Cup.{{Cite web|date=July 4, 2021|script-title=ar:الأنصار يختبر ثلاثة لبنانيين في كأس النخبة|trans-title=Ansar tests three Lebanese [players] in the Elite Cup|language=Arabic|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1046542|access-date=July 5, 2021|website=Kooora|first=Nasser|last=Khaled}} He made his debut on July 12, scoring a brace against Akhaa Ahli Aley in the group stage.{{Cite web|last=Khaled|first=Nasser|date=12 July 2021|title=|script-title=ar:الأنصار يهزم الإخاء برباعية|trans-title=Ansar defeats Akhaa by four|url=https://www.kooora.com/?n=1048576&pg=1&o=nclb|language=Arabic|access-date=13 July 2021|website=Kooora}} Bitar scored his third goal against Ahed on July 16.{{Cite web|date=July 16, 2021|title=Ansar vs Ahed|url=https://www.falebanon.com/event/28744/|access-date=July 24, 2021|website=FA Lebanon}} Despite scoring three goals in two games, Bitar decided not to sign a contract with Ansar, due to the economic situation in Lebanon.{{Cite web|date=24 July 2021|title=|script-title=ar:أفضل من معتوق".. صفقة بيطار إلى الأنصار تفشل"|trans-title="Better than Maatouk" .. Bitar deal to Ansar fails|url=http://lebanonfg.com/single/2898|access-date=24 July 2021|website=Lebanon Football Guide}}

On March 28, 2022, Bitar returned to the Canadian Premier League, signing with FC Edmonton.{{cite web |title=FC Edmonton signs forward Gaby Bitar |url=https://fcedmonton.canpl.ca/article/fc-edmonton-signs-forward-gaby-bitar |publisher=FC Edmonton |access-date=28 March 2022 |date=28 March 2022}} With Edmonton, he switched positions from his typical forward role to being deployed primarily as a midfielder.{{cite web|url=https://fcedmonton.canpl.ca/article/eddies-midfielder-gabriel-bitar-blossoming-in-his-second-opportunity-in-the-cpl|title=Eddies midfielder Gabriel Bitar blossoming in his second opportunity in the CPL|date=August 9, 2022|work=FC Edmonton|first=Jason|last=Hills}} He scored his first goal on June 27, in a 3–1 defeat to former club Cavalry FC.{{Cite web |title=Cavalry unlocks Edmonton defence to continue footie dominance over provincial rivals |url=https://calgarysun.com/sports/soccer/cavalry-unlocks-edmonton-defence-to-continue-footie-dominance-over-provincial-rivals |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Calgary Sun|first=Todd|last=Saelhof|date=June 26, 2022}}

In January 2023, Bitar signed with expansion side Vancouver FC.{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/vancouver-fc-gabriel-bitar/|date=January 18, 2023|title=Gabriel Bitar Makes CPL Return With Vancouver FC|first=John|last=Jacques|work=Northern Tribune}} He scored his first goal for the club on July 7, in a 2–1 victory over the HFX Wanderers.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/recap-vancouver-fc-2-1-halifax-wanderers-cpl-match-52|title=Recap: Vancouver FC 2-1 Halifax Wanderers — CPL Match #52|date=July 8, 2023|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Alexandre|last=Gangué-Ruzic}}{{cite web|url=https://vancouverfc.canpl.ca/article/11-bitar-finds-renewed-confidence-in-recent-performances|title=#11 Bitar finds renewed confidence in recent performances|date=August 31, 2023|work=Vancouver FC|first=David|last=Nava}} On August 19, Bitar scored a brace to help Vancouver win 3–2 against Pacific FC.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/match-analysis-late-bitar-brace-helps-vancouver-fc-claim-first-salish-sea-derby-win-over-pacific-fc-in-dramatic-fashion|title=Match Analysis: Late Bitar brace helps Vancouver FC claim first Salish Sea Derby win in dramatic fashion|date=August 19, 2023|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Alexandre|last=Gangué-Ruzic}} In his first season with the club, he finished tied for the team lead in goals, with six.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/truly-something-special-vancouver-fcs-bitar-on-representing-lebanon-at-the-2023-afc-asian-cup|title='Truly something special' Vancouver FC's Bitar on representing Lebanon at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup|date=February 10, 2024|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Mitchell|last=Tierney}} On July 5, 2024, during the 2024 season, Bitar scored a brace in a 3–3 draw with Forge FC earning CPL Player of the Week and Team of the Week honours.{{cite web|url=https://vancouverfc.canpl.ca/article/gabriel-bitar-earns-cpl-player-of-the-week-for-brace-against-forge-fc|title=Gabriel Bitar earns CPL Player of the Week for brace against Forge FC|date=July 9, 2024|work=Vancouver FC}}{{cite web|url=https://vancouverfc.canpl.ca/article/last-time-out-bitars-late-game-heroics-steal-a-point-for-vfc|title=Last Time Out: Bitar's late game heroics steal a point for VFC|date=August 15, 2024|work=Vancouver FC}}{{cite web|url=https://vancouverfc.canpl.ca/article/bitars-brace-earns-the-midfielder-a-spot-on-cpls-team-of-the-week|title=Bitar's brace earns the midfielder a spot on CPL's Team of the Week|date=July 8, 2024|work=Vancouver FC}}

In January 2025, Bitar was traded to York United FC in exchange for a first round pick in the 2026 CPL U Sports Draft, with Bitar signing a new two-year contract with the club.{{Cite web|url=https://yorkunitedfc.canpl.ca/article/york-united-fc-acquire-midfielder-gabriel-bitar-from-vancouver-fc|title=York United FC acquires midfielder Gabriel Bitar from Vancouver FC|date=January 13, 2025|work=York United FC}} He scored his first goal for York United FC on April 13, 2025, in a 2–1 defeat to HFX Wanderers FC.{{Cite web |last=Jacques |first=John |date=2025-04-14 |title=CPL In Review: Matchweek 2 – Away Sides Rally |url=https://northerntribune.ca/canadian-premier-league-2025-matchweek-2-recap/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Northern Tribune |language=en-US}}

Bitar is eligible to represent Canada, through birth, and Lebanon through descent, as both his parents are from the capital Beirut.{{Cite web|date=2019-11-02|title=Gabriel Bitar, Cavalry's First Overall Pick Reflects on CPL Experience|url=https://btsvancity.com/2019/11/01/gabriel-bitar-cavalrys-first-overall-pick-reflects-on-cpl-experience/|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Between The Sticks|first=Ben|last=Steiner}}

In September 2015, Bitar participated in an identification camp for the Canada national under-20 team.{{Canada Soccer player|id=3556}}

In December 2022, Bitar accepted a call-up to the Lebanon national team for a friendly game against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/lebanon-gabriel-bitar/|title=Gabriel Bitar Earns Lebanese Call-Up|date=December 24, 2022|first=John|last=Jacques|work=Northern Tribune}} He made his debut on December 30 as a substitute in the match, in an eventual 1–0 defeat.{{Cite web |date=30 December 2022 |title=UAE 1–0 Lebanon |url=https://www.falebanon.com/event/29984/ |access-date=30 December 2022 |website=FA Lebanon}}{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/bitar-makes-lebanon-debut/|title=Bitar Makes Lebanon Debut|date=December 31, 2022|first=John|last=Jacques|work=Northern Tribune}}

In December 2023, Bitar was included in the Lebanese squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.{{cite web |title=منتخب لبنان يعلن تشكيلته إلى كأس آسيا|trans-title=The Lebanon national team announces its squad for the Asian Cup|url=https://the-lfa.com.lb/news/Asian_cup23-squad-list.php|publisher=Lebanese Football Association|date=30 December 2023|access-date=30 December 2023|language=ar}}{{Cite web |last=Jacques |first=John |date=31 December 2023 |title=Lebanon Calls Up Bitar For AFC Asian Cup |url=https://northerntribune.ca/lebanon-gabriel-bitar-afc-asia-cup/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=Northern Tribune}} He made two appearances at the tournament.{{cite web|url=https://vancouverfc.canpl.ca/article/vfcs-gabriel-bitar-gets-his-second-shot-at-international-competition-in-just-three-months|title=VFC's Gabriel Bitar gets his second shot at international competition in just three months|date=March 15, 2024|work=Vancouver FC}}

{{updated|match played October 19, 2024}}{{Soccerway|608123|access-date=August 14, 2022}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 16 December, 2024}}

Individual

• Lebanese Elite Cup top goalscorer: 2021{{efn|Tied with Fadel Antar}}

• List of Lebanon international footballers born outside Lebanon

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{York United FC squad}}

{{Lebanon squad 2023 AFC Asian Cup}}

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{{CPL Draft Number One Picks}}

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Category:1998 births

Category:Living people

Category:Soccer players from Ottawa

Category:Canadian men's soccer players

Category:Lebanese men's footballers

Category:Canadian people of Lebanese descent

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