The CPL off-season has entered its final month, and signing news has largely been replaced by questions about how each team's winter business will look when it hits the pitch.
With the opening day squads for most teams nearing completion, it has been a quieter news period across the league. But that is certainly expected to change in the final few weeks before the season starts.
Still, a couple of high-profile signings and plenty of league news have been worth noting of late.
Here are the biggest stories from across the league over the past few weeks:
Vancouver FC sign Swedish defender Ssewankambo
The Eagles added what could be a central piece to their backline on Friday with the signing of 30-year-old central defender Isak Ssewankambo.
The experienced Swedish youth international spent two years with Chelsea's academy before making his professional debut with NAC Breda in the Eredivisie. He spent two seasons in England at Derby County, and a further three in Norway with Molde before returning to his native Sweden in 2018.
Ssewankambo most recently played for IF Brommapojkarna in the Swedish top flight. He also has experience as a holding midfielder, giving Martin Nash some versatility in how he wants to build his side for 2026.
Halifax Wanderers add striker Victor Akinwale
How will the Halifax Wanderers replace the team-leading 12 goals scored by 2025 Best Canadian U-21 Player Tiago Coimbra?
The signing of 21-year-old Victor Akinwale could be part of that solution. The young striker proved to be absolutely lethal for Crystal Palace's academy, and represented England at both the U-17 and U-18 levels.
Goals have followed him at every level, including a pair for England U-17, and a stunning 24 in 25 games in 2021-22 to finish second in scoring in the U-18 Premier League that season.
Inter Toronto expands its pathway
When the Pasquel brothers acquired ownership of Inter Toronto ahead of the 2024 CPL season, they made it clear that central to their ambitions was the quality of talent they saw in the Canadian game.
After two seasons spent meeting with clubs in the local area and establishing a second team in the Ontario Premier League, Inter Toronto made a significant announcement this past week. They are expanding their academy pathway to include a six-team structure supporting their CPL side.
Three of those teams will compete in the OPL structure, with an additional three playing in an exhibition series playing independent matches against OPDL teams.
Giving a clear pathway from the youth level to the professional game will allow Inter Toronto to play a significant role in the development of, and providing opportunity for, talent in one of North America's most exciting player pools.
Sam Salter off to strong start in Sweden
One more story from abroad this week: the reigning CPL Player of the Year, Sam Salter, is off to a strong start to his first campaign in Sweden.
Salter started all three group stage matches for GAIS in the 2025-26 Svenska Cupen, the country's top soccer cup competition. He scored on his debut, a 3-0 win over Landskrona, and looks as though he has already earned the trust of his new manager and teammates.
A perfect 3-0-0, GAIS earned a seeded position for the quarter-finals. The winner of the tournament gets a qualifying spot in the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League.
Gais, who also features another former Atlético Ottawa player, Mateo de Brienne, among their ranks, know they will get to compete on the continent this year having booked a spot in UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
Former Halifax Wanderer Tiago Coimbra, meanwhile, appeared in two matches for IFK Göteborg as they also advanced to the quarter-final stage.
