As the Canadian Premier League enters its seventh season, kicking off on Saturday, the league’s mandate to develop young Canadian talent has never been more apparent. This year, the CPL features its most exciting crop of young talent yet, with several Canadian youth internationals expected to play crucial roles for clubs across the league this season. Each club is required to achieve 2,000 minutes played by domestic U-21 players each season to be playoff-eligible. Plus, with the introduction of new roster categories like the Exceptional Young Talent contracts, and expanded roster space for U SPORTS players, there has never been more opportunity for young Canadian footballers. From 2024 Best Canadian U-21 Player nominee Noah Abatneh swapping Ontario clubs, to the league’s youngest goalscorer TJ Tahid — who is now entering his third season with Vancouver FC, here are eight young Canadian players to watch during the league’s 2025 season.
DF – Noah Abatneh (Atlético Ottawa)
After a season and a half with York United, 20-year-old central defender Noah Abatneh joins Atlético Ottawa for the 2025 season. The ambitious defender comes to the nation’s capital after being close to securing a move abroad at the end of the season, only to have it fall through after suffering an injury that saw him miss the last few weeks of the campaign as well as the playoffs. Now he comes to Ottawa believing a good performance in the nation’s capital, coupled with the club’s global connections, can help him reach that next level. Through 35 games in all competitions with York over the past two seasons, Abatneh already has a solid resumé of professional experience under his belt. A technically outstanding defender, Abatneh plays like a veteran on both sides of the ball. This past season, he completed 90.06 per cent of his passes, among the league leaders, while winning 53.91 per cent of his duels. Even if things didn’t go to plan at the end of last season in terms of securing a move, Abatneh is on a great path. He will now look to join the other nominees for the league’s Best Canadian U-21 Player award over the past two seasons, all of whom have secured big moves: Kwasi Poku (RWD Molenbeek), Matteo de Brienne (GAIS), James Cameron (Colorado Rapids) and Emil Gazdov (CF Montréal).
RELATED: ‘It’s a perfect team for me’ — Noah Abatneh signs for Atlético Ottawa
FW- Tiago Coimbra (Halifax Wanderers)
Coimbra begins his third season in Halifax, looking to take the next step into one of the league’s elite strikers. The numbers suggest that when the 21-year-old is healthy, he is already among the most goal-dangerous strikers in the league. Over those two seasons with the Wanderers, Coimbra has scored seven goals, and added a pair of assists. Last year, he finished seventh in goals per 90 with 0.45 and 0.54 expected goals (tied for second). A physically imposing striker with good instincts in and around the box, Coimbra has all the attributes to thrive at the CPL level and beyond. Prior to joining Halifax, Coimbra spent time in the famed Palmeiras academy in Brazil and also made four appearances for the Canadian U-20 team, scoring once. He spent part of this off-season training with West Ham United’s U-21 side, an opportunity which will further develop his talents.
DF – Christian Greco-Taylor (Pacific FC)
After making his debut for the Tridents in May, the 20-year-old left-back became a mainstay in the Pacific starting XI over the back half of the season. An outstanding crosser of the ball, Greco-Taylor completed 1.17 crosses per 90 last season, and created 1.37 chances — demonstrating a good ability to get down the line and provide quality service. Defensively, he showed some good progression as well, winning a solid 60.18 per cent of his duels and 26 tackles. Greco-Taylor missed part of last season while on duty with the Canadian U-20 national team at the 2024 Concacaf U-20 Championship. He has made eight appearances now for Canada at that level. Prior to joining Pacific, he made 21 appearances for the Whitecaps 2 in MLS Next Pro in 2023.
MF – Maël Henry (Cavalry FC)
Injuries limited Henry to just nine matches and 418 minutes last season. But when he was on the pitch for Cavalry FC, his talent was evident. A direct and decisive attacker, the 20-year-old has all the confidence and ability to create moments of magic in front of goal. He finished fourth in the league in shots on target per 90 with 1.6 and won 1.29 fouls per 90 in the final third (7th most) — also creating 1.72 chances per 90. Henry found the back of the net twice in those nine matches, and could be an important weapon for an already stacked Cavalry attack if he can stay healthy in 2025. Before joining Cavalry, Henry spent a short stint with Vancouver FC, as well as several years with the CF Montréal academy. He has represented Canada at both the U-15 and U-20 levels, scoring once for each of those respective national teams.
FW – Shola Jimoh (York United)
Very few players in the Canadian Premier League this season will have more eyes on them than 16-year-old Shola Jimoh. The attacker burst onto the scene last season for the Nine Stripes, scoring four goals and adding an assist between the playoffs and regular season after signing an Exceptional Young Talent contract in June. An outstanding talent who thrives in 1-v-1 situations and uses his small frame exceptionally well, Jimoh has adapted to the professional level with impressive ease. Jimoh had a busy off-season. In November, he joined the Canadian senior men’s national team for a training camp. He then joined Canada U-17 for a pair of friendlies, scoring in a 2-1 win over Mexico in November, before helping Canada to qualify for the 2025 U-17 World Cup in February, scoring two more goals during the Concacaf qualifying competition.
RELATED: ‘Still our Sholito’ — 16-year-old Shola Jimoh ready for 2nd pro season with York United
MF – Khadim Kane (Forge FC)
This is a big year for Kane with Forge FC. The 19-year-old midfielder, who like Jimoh is signed to an Exceptional Young Talent contract, is entering his third season with the Hamilton club. This is generally the time in Forge’s planning phase for young players where they give them greater opportunity. Last year, for example, was Kwasi Poku’s third season with the club, as well as that of Malik Owolabi-Belewu and Malcolm Duncan (who was initially loaned to the club in 2022). Kane made eight appearances for Forge last season, making just one start. He did, however, come off the bench in both of their Concacaf Champions Cup matches against CF Monterrey. An imposing midfielder with plenty of technical and physical tools, his ceiling has always been incredibly high, and those inside Forge rave about his potential. Kane has also made four appearances for Canada at the U-20 national team level.
FW – Myles Morgan (Valour FC)
Valour FC brought in a pair of exciting Canadian youth international strikers this off-season with Myles Morgan and Erik Pop, both of whom are expected to play an important role in making the Winnipeg club more goal dangerous in 2025. Morgan, in particular, has already proven that he can be incredibly prolific in front of goal with the Canadian youth national team. For the U-20s last year, he scored six times in eight matches, including a hat-trick against Dominica. A smart forward who gets into good positions in the box and has quality finishing ability, he could be an important piece of Valour’s attack this season. The 19-year-old came through the Toronto FC academy before making his debut with Toronto FC II in 2023 spent last season with the Whitecaps 2 in MLS Next Pro. Now, he will get an opportunity to show his game can translate to playing senior football.
FW – TJ Tahid (Vancouver FC)
The Canadian Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer enters his third season with the Eagles in 2025. After a breakout 2023 campaign, during which he scored three goals in 20 appearances, Tahid found minutes harder to come by in 2024, playing just 213. When he did get on the field, however, he was still capable of creating chances with 0.54 expected goals (tied for second) per 90 minutes. A dynamic attacker with strong finishing ability, this is a crucial year for the still 17-year-old to push to the next level of his development — and to be given the opportunity to do so. This off-season, Tahid saw his peers with the club James Cameron (Colorado Rapids) and Grady McDonnell (Club Brugge) secure big moves, which will only serve as motivation for him to perform this year as well. Tahid recently spent time playing for Ghana’s U-20 national team earlier this month. Tahid previously represented Canada at the 2023 U-17 World Cup and remains eligible for both countries.