Ahead of this past long weekend across the country, several CPL clubs made sure to get their business done early last week, with plenty of intriguing new signings. The CPL’s all-time leading goalscorer is headed west, the league released its 2025 schedule, iconic kits continue to be unveiled and plenty more. Here were the biggest stories across the Canadian Premier League this past week:
Vancouver FC sign CPL all-time leading goalscorer Campbell, add Fotsing to Exceptional Young Talent deal
It had been a somewhat quiet off-season for the Eagles prior to this week, with the notable exception of Grady McDonnell’s club record sale to Club Brugge. This week, however, Vancouver FC made a pair of big additions. That began with yet another exciting young player signing, with 17-year-old Emrick Fotsing joining under the league’s Exceptional Young Talent roster category. Fotsing joined the CF Montréal academy in 2021, and was the captain of the club’s U-17 side. He has also spent time with Bologna FC’s academy in Italy. The highly-touted box-to-box midfielder will now have the opportunity to begin his pro career with Vancouver. On Thursday, Vancouver added some serious firepower in attack with the signing of the CPL’s all-time leading goalscorer, Terran Campbell. The 26-year-old from Burnaby, B.C. returns to his home province after spending the past three seasons with Forge FC — winning CPL titles in 2022 and 2023. Campbell previously spent the first three years of the CPL’s existence with Pacific FC, with whom he also won a CPL title in 2021. He has scored 39 goals over the league’s six campaigns between the regular season and playoffs.
Valour sign Canadian defender Kelsey Egwu on loan, add Portuguese midfielder Bruno Figueiredo
The Portuguese pipeline to Valour FC is alive and well, with the club adding 25-year-old midfielder Bruno Figueiredo this week. The Lisbon native has made 46 appearances across multiple clubs in the Portuguese league system, most recently with União Santarém. Figueiredo joins compatriots Diogo Ressurreição and Xavier Venâncio in forming what is an increasingly deep and dynamic midfield group for the Winnipeg club. On Tuesday, Valour FC also added young Canadian defender Kelsey Egwu on loan from Estonian club JK Narva Trans. He made 37 appearances for the club in the Estonian second division last season. The 21-year-old has one CPL appearance under his belt as a development player with FC Edmonton in 2022.
Halifax Wanderers add Canadian youth international Alessandro Biello on loan
To kick off this week, the Halifax Wanderers announced the acquisition of a top prospect in Canadian Soccer, adding 18-year-old Alessandro Biello on loan from CF Montréal. The midfielder has made 18 appearances for Canadian youth national teams, including at the 2023 U-17 World Cup. In October, he was called up by Jesse Marsch into a senior national team training camp. The son of Canadian men’s national team assistant coach, Mauro, he made four appearances in all competitions for the CF Montréal first team last season — including against Forge in the 2024 TELUS Canadian Championship quarter-final.
Pacific FC sign veteran Portuguese defender Pedro Machado
The Tridents added some experience to their backline last Tuesday with the signing of veteran Portuguese centre-back Pedro Machado. The 28-year-old joins Pacific from Finnish Premier Division side IFK Mariehamn, which is the same club from which they signed Aly Ndom last season. He made 24 appearances for the side last season. Machado has played at several levels across Europe, including in his native Portugal, and Romania.
Atlético Ottawa unveil 2025 home kit, promote Ulanowski to General Manager
Atlético Ottawa kicked off its pre-season presented by WestJet in style this week, unveiling their stunning new home threads for the upcoming season. The ‘Homage to El Doblete’ kit commemorates Atlético Madrid’s historic double-winning 1995-96 campaign. In a significant front office move, the club also announced that JD Ulanowski has been named the club’s General Manager. The 28-year-old becomes the youngest General Manager in club history.
Canadian Premier League releases 2025 schedule
One last, but significant, bit of news from this past week, the Canadian Premier League unveiled its full 2025 regular season schedule this past Wednesday. The league’s seventh season will kick off on April 5 in the nation’s capital, and conclude on Saturday, Oct. 18 with The Outcome! The 2025 playoffs start on Wednesday, Oct. 22, with the 2025 Final being played on Nov. 8 or Nov. 9, depending upon which club hosts. For the full 2025 Canadian Premier League schedule, click here.