It was a bit of an informational overload across the Canadian Premier League this week in a seven day stretch full of signings, hires, re-signings and departures to go with international appearances and plenty more.
Luckily, we've got you covered with a recap of everything that transpired over the past week across the league in CPL headlines. You might want to have an extra cup of coffee first, however, because it's a lot.
Cavalry continues to evolve after Didić signing, Shome and Gutiérrez's departures
Cavalry FC are going to look different next year, that much is clear. If their early off-season recruitment is any indication, however, they will remain at the front of the pack in 2026.
This past week, they signed a second player from the Atlético Ottawa team who defeated them in the 2025 final, central defender Amer Didić. They had previously brought in Atleti's goalkeeper Nathan Ingham.
Didić, of course, did not feature in that final nor most of the 2025 season due to a broken leg, but now fully recovered, the 31-year-old is ready to show he remains one of the league's best. He has played in each of the league's seven seasons, between FC Edmonton, Pacific and Atleti. He has two caps for the Canadian national team, scoring once.
This week wasn't only about who Cavalry brought in, however, but also the goodbyes. The midfield duo who started their 2024 CPL Final victory against Forge FC announced their departure this week: Shamit Shome and Diego Gutiérrez. Big shoes to fill for the Calgary club.
Inter Toronto add a Concacaf Champion
After making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in club history, it's fair to say Inter Toronto are looking to make the next step and become true contenders.
With that in mind, they made another significant signing this week with 32-year-old Mexican international full-back Raúl López. With seven senior national team caps, over 300 LigaMX appearances and a Concacaf Champions Cup title with Pachuca to his name, he has one of the best résumés of any player in the CPL.
The club also added to its strong international contingent with the signing of 24-year-old winger Ariel Almagro. The Ecuadorian spent this past campaign with Aucas in the Ecuadorian top flight and adds another weapon to an already exciting attacking unit.
Atlético Ottawa have their man in net; bring back Mbombio
The second it was announced that CPL champion, and 2025 Golden Glove nominee Nate Ingham wouldn't be returning to the nation's capital this season, the question quickly became who would replace him in net.
That answer appeared to come on Friday, as Atleti unveiled the signing of 25-year-old Garissone Innocent. The Haitian international came through the famed Paris Saint-Germain academy, and has experience throughout France and in the Belgian top flight.
He most recently played for Riteriai in the Lithuanian top flight. There will be a lot of motivation for Innocent to perform well, and earn himself a spot on Haiti's World Cup roster this summer.
The club also added 18-year-old midfielder Tim Arnaud this week. He is the latest CF Montréal academy product that Atlético Ottawa recruited, an area in which they have had great success of late, with the likes of Sergei Kozlovskiy, Gabriel Antinoro and Loïc Cloutier.
Atleti also confirmed the return of 20-year-old central defender Roni Mbomio on a permanent basis from Atlético Madrid. After winning a championship on loan with Atlético Ottawa last season, Mbombio has since made his international debut for Equatorial Guinea.
Martin Nash is back as Vancouver FC head coach
Ahead of Vancouver FC's first foray into continental competition, they confirmed the return of head coach Martin Nash on a permanent basis, with a contract through the end of 2027.
Nash, a former Canadian international and 2000 Gold Cup champion, served in an interim role with VFC at the end of the 2025 campaign, including helping them become the first CPL club to advance to a Canadian Championship final in a full tournament.
The club also announced a significant appointment to Nash's coaching staff this week, former Canadian international Nick Dasovic. A member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, Dasovic had 63 caps for Canada and has experience as a coach with the national team program, Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Eagles were busy on the player recruitment front as well this week, signing former Cavalry FC defender Tom Field, as well as striker Mohamed Amissi. Field, 28, is a former CPL champ and can play reliably at a variety of different positions across the backline. Amissi, meanwhile, is a 25-year-old from Burundi who has experience in the Dutch top flight, as well as Portugal and Egypt.
Halifax Wanderers bolster backline
With Vanni Sartini as head coach, the Vancouver Whitecaps connections were sure to happen on the East Coast. One such signing took place this past week, with the Halifax Wanderers bringing in 21-year-old New Zealand youth international Finn Linder.
The towering central defender spent the past four seasons with the Whitecaps 2 in MLS Next Pro, but missed the entire 2025 campaign with an ACL injury. He made one appearance with the Whitecaps first team against LigaMX side Tijuana in the 2024 Leagues Cup.
The Wanderers added another MLS Next Pro player this week, as well, with the signing of Lucas Olguin. The 20-year-old holding midfielder has been a mainstay in Toronto FC II's team over the past few years, where he was a crucial tempo-setter for them in the heart of the pitch.
FC Supra add more local talent
The CPL's newest club added four players to their inaugural squad this week, with the additions of defenders Matisse Chrétien (22), Ismael Yeo (21), Thomas Lebeuf (19) and midfielder Omar Elkalkouli (21).
The signings all continue FC Supra du Québec's stated goal of providing opportunities for the province's young talent. Chrétien, Yeo and Lebeuf are the first three defenders signed by Supra. They are now up to 12 signings officially announced on their inaugural roster.
Pacific FC add to their backline
Defence was one of the biggest areas requiring improvement for the Tridents this off-season, and the addition of six-foot-five central defender Joshua Belluz should be a nice add in this regard.
The club agreed to terms with the 24-year-old Torontonian this week, who made 37 appearances across all competitions for the Colorado Rapids 2 this past season. He is also an alumnus of Syracuse University, which has a strong history of developing top Canadian players.