The next generation of Canadian talent is ready to make their breakthrough in the Canadian Premier League.
Last season, the league expanded its Best U-21 Canadian of the Year award nominees from three to five to reflect the increasing depth of quality of standout young talent across the league.
This past year's award winner, Tiago Coimbra, recently moved to IFK Göteborg in Sweden — becoming just the latest award recipient to earn himself a big transfer.
Once again, heading into the 2026 season, there is a strong class of domestic U-21s across the CPL. Five of them, in fact, are currently representing Canada at the U-20 Concacaf Championship qualifiers down in Nicaragua.
Here are eight exciting young Canadian players to watch during the CPL's eighth season:
MF - Alessandro Biello (FC Supra du Québec)
After spending over a decade with CF Montréal, from the youth team all the way up to the first team, Biello left the MLS side this off-season to join the Canadian Premier League's first Québec team.
The 19-year-old midfielder spent last season on loan with the Halifax Wanderers, where, despite making 21 appearances, just three of them came in starts. On a Supra team with an entirely new cast, Biello is likely to get a bigger role, and more of a platform to show his incredible talent.
Anyone who has watched the Canadian youth national teams over the past few years has seen that on full display. Biello captained Canada at the 2023 U-17 World Cup and has a pair of goals in 18 appearances at the youth level for his country.
MF - Emrick Fotsing (Vancouver FC)
In his first professional season in 2025 with Vancouver FC, 18-year-old midfielder Emrick Fotsing proved himself to be one of the CPL's most promising young talents.
Making 26 appearances across all competitions, Fotsing scored four goals — with his first pro goal coming in front of Canadian men's national team manager Jesse Marsch, no less. Already well beyond his years in his ability both on and off the ball in midfield, Fotsing will be a key part of Vancouver's midfield in 2026.
An injury saw him miss out on VFC's Concacaf Champions Cup campaign — unfortunate for a young player who would have taken a lot from that experience.
FW - Shola Jimoh (Inter Toronto)
Entering his third professional season at just 17 years of age (he turns 18 on April 17), this year is a big opportunity for one of Canadian soccer's most exciting talents to take his next step.
Bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old in 2024, Jimoh had a bit more of a learning experience in his second year under a new coach and new system with Inter Toronto. He still had four assists in all competitions, as his playmaking ability shone through in 2025.
Jimoh continues to be a key player for the Canadian youth national teams, recently scoring for Canada at the U-17 World Cup and getting a call-up to the senior men's national team in January.
MF - Sami Keshavarz (Pacific FC)
An Island-born and developed talent, Keshavarz made a breakthrough into becoming a consistent part of the Pacific FC lineup last season, making six starts and 24 appearances.
The 19-year-old scored his professional goal in a 3-3 draw with Cavalry in October. Exciting on the ball, he is likely to grow more and more dynamic as his confidence grows at the professional level.
This season, especially with some of the departures in midfield for the Tridents, Keshavarz could be given even more of an opportunity to carve out minutes in this Pacific team.
DF – Sergei Kozlovskiy (Atlético Ottawa)
Atlético Ottawa made a statement of intent last season when they signed the promising young defender.
Just why it was such an important acquisition was quickly made clear, as, starting the season as a 16-year-old, he made 24 appearances for the CPL champions. Already a brilliant defender with outstanding passing and shooting range, the sky is the limit for Kozlovskiy.
He missed the 2025 CPL Final because he was at the U-17 World Cup with Canada — where he scored in a knockout match against the Republic of Ireland. But if Atleti are to remain contenders this season, his progression will be an important factor.
DF – Hoce Massunda (Forge)
The lone nominee for last year's Best Canadian U-21 Player of the Year award who is still eligible for the honour this year is Hoce Massunda.
That alone makes him a key U-21 to watch in 2026 as he looks to build on the tremendous success of his first professional season. As a 19-year-old, his direct and dynamic attacking style led to four goals and five assists.
Now Massunda looks to prove that he can reach yet another level in 2026, continue to be a key part of Forge's attack, and perhaps earn himself a Best Canadian U-21 Player of the Year award in the process.
MF - Niko Myroniuk (Cavalry FC)
Entering his fourth season in the Cavalry FC organization, the door is open for Myroniuk to break through.
Several key midfielders departed the club this offseason, including Shamit Shome and Diego Gutiérrez, leading to greater opportunity for someone like Myroniuk to earn minutes in 2026 at that competitive position.
As it stands, the talented local midfielder had his best season to date in 2025, scoring his first two professional goals and making 16 appearances in all competitions.
MF - Lucas Olguin (Halifax Wanderers)
For the past three seasons, the 20-year-old midfielder has been one of the most consistent performers for Toronto FC II in MLS Next Pro.
With an impressive 74 games under his belt across those campaigns, he is reliable as they come. Excellent on the ball, Olguin has a strong ability to navigate through tight spaces, and progress the ball from deep-lying positions,
Now, he gets the chance to turn pro with the Halifax Wanderers alongside a strong midfield cast that includes Isaiah Johnston, Lorenzo Callegari and Andre Rampersad.
