Three-time CPL champion Alessandro Hojabrpour has been transferred to Dutch side FC Emmen for an undisclosed fee, Forge FC announced on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old midfielder spent seven seasons in the CPL, the past four with Forge. He played 186 matches between Forge and Pacific FC in the CPL regular season and playoffs, scoring eight goals. He also won back-to-back CPL Shields over the past two seasons with Forge FC as regular-season winners.
“Alessandro has been an important part of Forge FC over the past four seasons,” said Forge FC head coach Bobby Smyrniotis in a club statement. “He’s been a consistent professional and a valued member of the group, and we wish him all the best as he takes the next step in his career.”
Hojabrpour scored the winning goal in consecutive CPL Finals. He did so with Pacific in a 1-0 win over Forge in the 2021 final, before scoring the opener for Forge in a 2-0 victory over Atlético Ottawa the following season.
He was named the league's Best Canadian U-21 Player of the Year following the 2021 season, and was nominated for CPL Player of the Year in 2024.
FC Emmen currently sit in 12th place in the Eerste Divisie, two points out of the playoff spots with 16 matches remaining in their campaign. They were most recently in the Eredivisie for four of five seasons between 2018-19 and 2022-23.
Emmen revealed they have signed Hojabrpour to a one-and-a-half year contract, with an option for a further year.
Hojabrpour spent last year's pre-season on trial with Orlando City SC in MLS before returning to Forge for the 2025 campaign.