The Canadian Premier League kicks off its seventh season on Saturday, making this, at long last, the final week of the off-season.
In anticipation of opening day, a few teams made some tweaks to their roster this past week, with Vancouver FC continuing to add local collegiate talent, and Atlético Ottawa signing a top Canadian soccer prospect to an Exceptional Young Talent deal.
For one final time this off-season, here are the biggest stories from across the league this past week:
RELATED: CPL Off-Season Roster Tracker: Who’s in and who’s out for 2025?
Vancouver FC sign CPL-U SPORTS draft picks Henri Godbout and Mehdi Essoussi, announce return of Thomas Powell
Vancouver FC announced the signing of both of their 2025 CPL-U SPORTS Draft selections this week, Henri Godbout (2nd overall) and Mehdi Essoussi (10th overall). Both players were signed to U SPORTS deals.
The 19-year-old Godbout is a local attacker who had an outstanding freshman season with the national champion UBC Thunderbirds, scoring ten goals and adding eight assists. As a result, he was named Canada West’s Rookie of the Year.
Essoussi, 24, is an experienced midfielder selected out of the University of Toronto. He previously spent time in the Toronto FC system, playing 24 times for Toronto FC II, as well as Alliance United FC in League1 Ontario.
On Saturday, the Eagles also announced the return of their 15th overall selection in the 2024 CPL-U SPORTS draft, Thomas Powell. The 23-year-old from Coquitlam, B.C. made six appearances for the Eagles last season.
Atlético Ottawa add 16-year-old defender Sergei Kozlovskiy
One of the most exciting young players in Canadian soccer is headed to the nation’s capital, as Atlético Ottawa announced on Wednesday the signing of Sergei Kozlovskiy to an Exceptional Young Talent deal.
The 16-year-old central defender joins the capital club following three years with CF Montréal’s academy. A Canadian youth international, Kozlovskiy has made five appearances for the U-17 national team, scoring three times and helping Canada to qualify for the 2025 U-17 World Cup, while also scoring once in two appearances with the U-2o side.
An incredibly technically talented player with an outstanding range of passing, an understanding of the game well beyond his years and good instincts in front of goal, Kozlovskiy will now look to make his professional debut this season with Atleti.
Cavalry FC announce the retirement of Charlie Trafford, unveil 2025 alternate kit
As far as ways to wrap up a career, Cavalry FC’s Charlie Trafford went out on a pretty special note.
The 32-year-old announced his retirement from professional soccer on Tuesday, after lifting a North Star Cup, and then scoring against Pumas UNAM in this year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.
Trafford spent three seasons with Cavalry, making 84 appearances in all competitions. He also played in Finland, Poland and Scotland during his career, making three appearances for the Canadian men’s national team.
That wasn’t the only bit of news from the Alberta club this week, who also announced their ‘Anniversary Kit’ on Friday, which will serve as the club’s alternate for the 2025 season. The stunning green, black and gold kit is an homage to Spruce Meadow’s 50th anniversary.
Halifax Wanderers sign goalkeeper Sinclair Astridge to CPL-U SPORTS deal
The Halifax Wanderers added to their goalkeeping corps this week with the signing of 19-year-old Sinclair Astridge to a CPL-U SPORTS contract.
Astridge joins the club from Dalhousie University, for whom he has been the goalkeeper for the past two seasons. He was an AUS First-Team All-Star this season. He was also a member of the Wanderers U-21 team.
Vancouver FC announce 2025 home and alternate kits
This column began with a look at Vancouver FC’s squad business, and now it concludes with the splash they made off the field this week with the unveiling of their 2025 kits.
They feature a new front-of-kit sponsor, Caffè Artigiano and after last year’s headline-making kits, are a return to the club’s black and white colour schemes.
