Forge FC announced Friday that the club has signed midfielder Anthony Aromatario to a CPL-U SPORTS contract ahead of the 2026 Canadian Premier League season.
The 22-year-old has already made an impact for Forge this year, after joining the club on a short-term contract last month for their run in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Aromatario made his professional debut in the first leg at Hamilton Stadium, playing the final 29 minutes against Tigres UANL, then started and went the full 90 in Leg 2 down in Mexico.
Aromatario comes to the CPL after impressing in the Ontario Premier League (formerly League1 Ontario) with Woodbridge Strikers SC. In 2025, he led the Strikers to a championship, and playing all 20 league matches and earning himself the OPL's Most Valuable Player award in the process.
Prior to his breakout season with Woodbridge, Aromatario played a year for the OPL's North Toronto Nitros. He also has experience abroad, having spent several years in Italy with Viterbese's youth team, as well as Tre Fiori in San Marino.
At the university level, Aromatario helped the York Lions capture the U SPORTS national championship in 2025, earning himself a Second-Team OUA All-Star nod.
Forge head coach Bobby Smyrniotis has spoken glowingly of Aromatario, who did not look out of place in his first matches for the club against daunting Mexican opposition.
"You look at quality of players, characteristics, what's needed in a team or within the game, and Anthony's been excellent coming in," Smyrniotis told media after Aromatario's 90-minute performance against Tigres.
"It's a big stage to step into, but he had the characteristics. We needed a midfielder who can win the ball, who could be a little bit more robust as a six next to Bekker, and he has the characteristics. Sometimes you just have to throw them in the fire and see how it goes, and I think it's gone pretty well for him over these first two legs."
Aromatario was one of the standouts in that second leg against Tigres, leading his team with five tackles and winning nine out of 10 duels.
Now, the former Woodbridge star will be competing for consistent professional minutes in Hamilton with the reigning CPL Shield winners.
By signing a U SPORTS contract with Forge, Aromatario has the opportunity to earn professional experience in the CPL, while maintaining his student-athlete eligibility should he wish to return to university.
