The first signing of the Inter Toronto era is official, as the club announced Monday that they have inked midfielder Ollie Bassett on a contract through 2027, with club options for the 2028 and 2029 seasons.
Bassett, a 27-year-old native of Packington, England, is a familiar face to Canadian Premier League fans, having played four years in the league split between Pacific FC and Atlético Ottawa.
He won a CPL championship in 2021 with Pacific, before moving to the nation's capital, where he won a regular season title in 2022 with Atleti, as well as the CPL's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year award. Bassett followed that breakout campaign in Ottawa with another excellent year, winning the Golden Boot in 2023 with 11 goals (shared with Myer Bevan).
"Ollie’s signing shows where this club wants to go. Bringing in a player with his experience and his story in the league shows our intentions. When you bring in a player like that, you want his leadership and what he brings on and off the field,” said Toronto head coach Mauro Eustáquio. "At the end of the day, we are in a performance industry and I want him to perform because I know he can. It is up to me to put him in situations to succeed and to push him to his limits. I am sure that together we will help Inter Toronto achieve its goals."
In total, Bassett has played 112 matches for CPL clubs between the regular season, playoffs and Canadian Championship, scoring 28 goals and adding 15 assists. He's sixth on the league's all-time scoring leaderboard, and one of just four players to win three or more individual awards.
Bassett departed Ottawa after 2024 as the club's all-time goals, appearances and assists leader. He spent the 2025 campaign in the USL Championship with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He made 25 appearances in total with the club, scoring twice and providing three assists.
Born in England, Bassett worked his way to the professional game via stints in the academies of Aston Villa, Southampton and Yeovil Town, before making his pro debut in EFL League Two with Yeovil in 2015. He went on to play for several clubs in the UK as well as in New Zealand and Australia before arriving in Canada with Pacific.
Internationally, Bassett has represented Northern Ireland, making one appearance in 2016 UEFA European U-19 Championship qualifiers.
Bassett is the first new signing for Inter Toronto since the club revealed its new identity last Thursday.
"I feel good. Everything happened very quickly and it was an easy decision. Toronto is a great city for both playing and living," said Bassett. "What really excited me and gave me a reason to join is being part of something that is being built. There were many strong reasons to come here. Inter Toronto is a club with high ambitions and we will make sure this season is one to remember."
