On Friday, FC Supra du Québec announced the signing of veteran Canadian Premier League defender Diyaeddine Abzi.
The 27-year-old, who is among the best full-backs in CPL history, played 64 matches, and scored seven goals, in the league between 2019 and 2022.
He adds quality and experience to a young FC Supra backline, and continues the club's mission of signing top local talent.
Born in Fez, Morocco, Abzi moved to Montréal at age nine, where he played his youth soccer with FC Salaberry before joining AS Blainville in 2018.
Abzi signed with Inter Toronto (then York9 FC) ahead of the club's first season, and came off the bench in the CPL's inaugural match against Forge FC at Hamilton Stadium on April 27, 2019.
Following that season, he was nominated for the league's Best Canadian U-21 Player of the Year award.
Abzi spent three and a half seasons with Inter Toronto, before transferring to Ligue 2 side Pau FC. He played 32 matches in all competitions that season for the French club, scoring twice. He spent the following year on loan with Leganés in Spain, as they finished atop the table to earn La Liga promotion.
“Signing a player of Abzi’s quality is an important addition to the squad,” said FC Supra sporting director Mateo Cabanettes. “Our shared FS Salaberry roots add personal significance to his arrival at FC Supra. The club’s launch came at the ideal moment in his career, and his signing underscores our commitment to attracting top local talent. He brings proven CPL experience, and we’re confident in the leadership and professionalism he will provide as he contributes to the collective.”
Abzi is the 18th signing for Supra's inaugural roster, highlighted by fellow CPL veterans Sean Rea, Aboubacar Sissoko and David Choinière.
