With Forge FC becoming the first Canadian Premier League side to play an official match in 2024, attentions were perhaps on the field more than they have been off it in recent weeks.

In the background of Forge’s 3-1 loss to C.D. Guadalajara in the Concacaf Champions Cup, however, several other CPL clubs made significant roster moves ahead of the 2024 campaign.

The other Canadian Premier League side involved in the continental competition, Cavalry FC, announced a few more signings this week, while Atlético Ottawa remain one of the most active teams this off-season after some blockbuster moves.

Here are the biggest stories from last week in the Canadian Premier League:

Atlético Ottawa acquire goalkeeper Rayane Yesli from Valour, sign former Forge midfielder Aboubacar Sissoko

The capital club made a significant splash this week with a pair of moves. They first announced, on Wednesday, the signing of former Forge FC midfielder Aboubacar Sissoko. The 28-year-old is a two-time CPL champion and scored six times in 52 regular season matches with the Hamilton club.

Then on Friday, Atleti acquired 2023 CPL Golden Glove nominee Rayane Yesli from Valour. The 24-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Winnipeg club, finishing second in the league in saves (81) and tied for third in clean sheets (seven) this past campaign.

Atleti have made a habit of signing experienced CPLers this off-season, with Yesli and Sissoko joining a group of incoming players that already includes the returning Ballou Tabla, and 2023 CPL Best Canadian U-21 Player Matteo de Brienne from Valour.

“I think that the league has certain conditions that make it special,” Atlético Ottawa head coach Carlos González told CanPL.ca this week. “It’s true that having players who already have proven their levels in the league makes the team a little bit more reliable in my opinion.

“The type of players that we’re signing, players who have been really, really important on their clubs, players that have a great amount of CPL games, and players that have shown they have great qualities technically and qualities in their physicality and players that are at the end of the day very reliable.”

Valour add Noah Verhoeven on loan, sign experienced goalkeeper Jonathan Viscosi

In response to losing their star goalkeeper, Valour FC were busy strengthening their overall squad this week.

Valour were quick to announce his replacement, 32-year-old Jonathan Viscosi who joins the club with a solid resumé of experience throughout Europe and the United States, having most recently played in Finland. Viscosi will bring important leadership to the Winnipeg side’s backline this campaign.

The club also added experienced CPL midfielder Noah Verhoeven on loan from Atlético Ottawa. The 24-year-old Verhoeven has played over 100 matches with CPL clubs between Pacific FC, York United and Atlético Ottawa, and is someone who Valour believes will bring important flexibility to their midfield.

Cavalry FC sign loan deals for Sporting Lisbon’s Lucas Dias, Everton FC goalkeeper Jack Barrett

The 2023 regular season winners kept busy this past week adding a pair of high-profile young players on loan ahead of the upcoming season.

Lucas Dias, a 21-year-old attacking midfielder, joins the club on loan from Sporting Lisbon in Portugal where he has played significant minutes for their youth teams. The attacking midfielder should provide a further boost of quality and creativity to Cavalry’s already stacked frontline.

The club also added 21-year-old goalkeeper Jack Barrett on loan from English Premier League side Everton FC. Barrett has spent the past nine years with Everton, recently playing minutes in the Premier League 2.

Pacific FC add French midfielder Aly Ndom

After a somewhat quiet off-season in terms of new signings thus far, Pacific FC added significant quality by putting pen to paper with 27-year-old French midfielder Aly Ndom.

Ndom had an outstanding 2023 campaign with IFK Mariehamn in the Finnish top division. His impressive resumé includes winning the French Ligue 2 with Riems in 2017-18, playing in Ligue 1, as well as a stint with Auxerre.

In Ndom, Pacific get a versatile number six who can also be deployed as a central defender, which is key given the club’s losses of Manny Aparicio and Amer Didic in recent months.

Halifax Wanderers sign the CPL’s first ever goalscorer, Ryan Telfer

In a move steeped in CPL history, the Halifax Wanderers added former York United and Atlético Ottawa attacker Ryan Telfer this past week.

The 29-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international scored the league’s first-ever goal on April 27, 2019 while playing for York United (then York9) against Forge FC in the league’s inaugural match.

Since departing Atlético Ottawa in 2021, Telfer has gone on to play for Columbus Crew 2, and most recently Miami FC in the USL Championship. Telfer has scored eight goals in 20 matches for the Trinidad and Tobago national team.