On the verge of kicking off their 2025 campaign, Forge FC announced a crucial re-signing on Tuesday as midfield maestro Alessandro Hojabrpour returns on a multi-year deal.
As the Hamilton club get set to face CF Monterrey in the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup, a tie which begins on Wednesday, Hojabrpour’s return is of vital importance.
The Burnaby, B.C.-born midfielder has played in all six of the Canadian Premier League’s seasons: three for Pacific FC and the past three for Forge. He has made 161 appearances in all competitions for CPL clubs, with seven total goals.
“Alessandro has been the heart of our midfield, showcasing consistent excellence and leadership on and off the pitch,” said Forge FC sporting director and head coach Bobby Smyrniotis. “He’s the engine of our team, and we’re thrilled to have him back in Hamilton.”
The 25-year-old, who initially joined Forge for the 2022 season, made his debut for the Hamilton club in the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup against Cruz Azul. He is a three-time CPL champion (two with Forge, one with Pacific), scoring the winning goal in both the 2021 and 2022 finals — one for and against Forge FC. Hojabrpour was nominated for the league’s Player of the Year award this past year, where he helped Forge lift the CPL Shield as regular season winners.
Only Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson played more minutes for Forge during the 2024 regular season than Hojabrpour’s 2,259, as he missed just one match during the 2024 campaign. The club’s ‘machine in the middle’, the defensive midfielder is a crucial tempo-setter for the team in possession, while doing tireless work defensively which allows the club’s other midfield players the license to get forward and join the attack.
Hojabrpour finished second in the league in passes into the final third (with 213) and fourth in successful long passes (114) while maintaining a solid 87.79 per cent pass accuracy. On the defensive side of the ball, he finished sixth in recoveries (141) and tied for seventh in interceptions (25). His outstanding defensive instincts saw him make several dramatic clearances this past season at vital times for his club — not least of which came against Atlético Ottawa in this year’s CPL semi-final.
A clear example of that ability in action came in last year’s Concacaf Champions Cup against Chivas Guadalajara. In the 31st minute of the first leg at Hamilton Stadium, Hojabrpour picked up the ball in his own half, and under pressure hit a perfect diagonal switch to Tristan Borges in space. Borges then crossed the ball into the path of Terran Campbell, who scored Forge’s lone goal that night.
GOAL 🔨#CANPL. BANGERS. ONLY. (IN #CONCACHAMPIONS 🏆)
Terran Campbell smashes home a PERFECT shot off an equally perfect cross by Tristan Borges and @ForgeFCHamilton are now 1-1 vs. Chivas Guadalajara 😎
🔴 Watch @TheChampions on OneSoccer pic.twitter.com/P8s2lIY9mi
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) February 8, 2024
Hojabrpour has been officially added to the club’s Concacaf Champions Cup roster, making him available for selection on Wednesday, as well as for the second leg against Monterrey at Estadio BBVA on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
The 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup begins Tuesday. Feb. 4. Canadian Premier League clubs Forge FC and Cavalry FC will be taking on Mexican sides CF Monterrey and Pumas UNAM, respectively, with their matchups beginning Feb. 5 and 6.
Canadian viewers can watch the tournament live on OneSoccer. For more information on the Concacaf Champions Cup, click here, and for further coverage of the tournament at CanPL.ca, click here.