Pacific FC’s signing of Marcel De Jong marks one of the highest-profile acquisitions in the Canadian Premier League. During a newsroom debate, CPL Editorial was unanimous in their assessment that the former Vancouver Whitecaps and Sporting Kansas City fullback was the biggest signing in league history – so far.

But beyond De Jong’s signature, opinions were split. Here’s how CPL Editorial broke down their three biggest CPL signings, beyond Pacific’s latest Canadian international star:

Kurt Larson, Managing Editor 

Marcus Haber (Pacific FC): Beyond Marcel De Jong, Pacific FC’s Marcus Haber is the obvious pick. And, quite frankly, if he’s not on your list you’re just being contrarian (see Bedakian and Thompson). The 30-year-old man-mountain has name recognition here and abroad, appearing in the Scottish Premiership and other U.K. leagues. Haber brings significant national team experience and, it could be argued, is currently Canada’s third- or fourth-string centre forward. When you talk about the CPL’s “big” signings to date, the 6-foot-3 Haber fits the bill in more ways than one.

Marcel Zajac (Forge FC): One of the CPL’s top under-21 prospects, Zajac turned heads last month after passing up potential opportunities in Major League Soccer to sign with Forge FC. Those close to the 20-year-old Akron standout said Zajac preferred immediate first team playing time to potentially toiling as an MLS SuperDraft pick — many of who never see a first team minute. In Zajac, coach Bobby Smyrniotis gets an attacking prospect whose ceiling is as high as any young Canadian attacker currently outside John Herdman’s squad.

Michael Cox (York9 FC): Signed with little fanfare earlier this month, York9’s Michael Cox could have the biggest impact of any player on Jimmy Brennan’s squad. The 26-year-old arrives with significant USL experience and could be an outside contender for the CPL’s inaugural Golden Boot award. Insiders think a guy like Cox will eventually supplant the league’s biggest names as the biggest contributor.

Armen Bedakian, Associate Editor

Julian Buscher (Cavalry FC): As far as the general fan of soccer in North America is concerned, MLS or Liga MX experience is essential to becoming a household name. And while the Canadian Premier League will work to add its own hat into that conversation, the fact that Cavalry FC snapped up an MLS-level talent with name-recognition in the world of ‘MLS Twitter’ makes him one of the more continentally-significant acquisitions.

Skylar Thomas (Valour FC): When we’re talking about the biggest signings in the CPL, you can’t really forget 6-foot-3 centreback Skylar Thomas, right? There’s more to this pick than a bit of a reputation from his time at Toronto FC, though; I reckon Skylar Thomas has the easiest route to a nod – heck, even a consistent spot – in John Herdman’s national team in season one. As such, his acquisition may just prove the case study for this new talent pipeline bearing fruit.

Nik Ledgerwood (Cavalry FC): No signing will be more symbolically significant, and thus historically magnificent, than that of Nik Ledgerwood. He is well-known and generally-beloved by the Canadian soccer faithful, and has the honour of being the first player to attach his name to the league. And, sure, he’d be overshadowed in the global sense when compared to other internationals like, say … that Diego Forlan fellow from Uruguay, but his experience with Canada’s national team instantly helped legitimize the league, too.

Marty Thompson, Digital Content Editor

Kyle Bekker (Forge FC): Yeah, I know. Easy choice. Classic Ontario guy pick. But Kyle Bekker is a big name whatever way you look at it. Arguably the most talented passer in the league, as a 28-year-old, the CPL could be putty in Bekker’s hands by the summer. We have been fortunate to see what he is capable of, thanks to time in MLS and NASL, and he absolutely has the chance to manipulate CPL opposition for years to come. A massive signing my coworkers somehow missed.

Randy Edwini-Bonsu (FC Edmonton): Randy Edwini-Bonsu’s signing has flown well under the radar both on this site and across the CanPL universe since he joined alongside Bekker as one of the CPL’s first. He’s a proven forward with pedigree coming into his peak years at 28. To me, the Bekker’s and Marcel De Jong’s of this league should be squarely beside Randy’s name. He has just as much of a chance of becoming the biggest player in the CPL as the marquee players my coworkers are bandying about.

Ben Fisk (Pacific FC): The talented attacker, to me, is a big coup for Pacific FC. Fisk has been playing consistently — and well — for years. The easy comparison to Fisk on this list would be Zajac; a talented attacking player with lots to give coming before his peak. But the major difference between the two is Fisk is proven professionally, something that’s rare to see in such abundance from a CPL signing so far.

Cormac Rea, Contributor

Kyle Bekker (Forge FC): In his prime at just 28 years-of-age, and with his Toronto FC, Montreal Impact and FC Dallas MLS experience (not to mention 18 international caps) well-known, Bekker’s signing showed that CPL can fulfill its first function and either attract or keep home top Canadian talent. With a 2017 NASL Soccer Bowl under his belt as a member of the San Francisco Deltas in just their first season, Bekker is also known as that player that can be a winner out the gate.

Marcus Haber (Pacific FC): A gigantic target striker with bags of experience in Holland, Scotland, England, the MLS and, of course, internationally for Canada, Haber didn’t need to come home yet. His decision to head back to his native B.C. to kick-start Pacific FC during their debut season strikes the same heart chords as Kyle Bekker. Top Canadian talent has a home now and local supporters of the game want to be pitch-side and see the quality that’s in our players.

Son Yongchan (FC Edmonton): He’s not Canadian and nobody had ever heard of him before his performance at the CPL’s Open Trials in Toronto raised a few eyebrows, but the signing of the South Korean midfielder to Jeff Paulus’ FC Edmonton showed that CPL will find those gems and give them a shot. This gives hope to every aspiring professional, not to mention their clubs, coaches, families and supporters. If you’re good enough, CPL will give you a shot – frankly, that’s the message everyone wants to hear.