Vancouver FC added some major firepower to their attack on Monday, as the club announced they've signed French striker Lys Mousset.
The 30-year-old centre-forward arrives in Canada with a tremendous resumé, having played five seasons in the English Premier League with Bournemouth and Sheffield United. With 99 appearances in the competition between 2016 and 2021, Mousset has more experience at the world's highest level than any other player in the CPL.
He was Sheffield United's joint-leading scorer in the 2019-20 season, finding the net six times as they finished ninth in the Premier League. He scored the Blades' winner in an impressive win over Arsenal, as well as a huge goal off the bench in a 3-1 win over Tottenham.
Mousset comes to Vancouver after playing in the League of Ireland in 2025 for Bohemians. Prior to his season in Dublin, he spent time at various other clubs in Europe, including Serie A side Salernitana and Bundesliga outfit VfL Bochum.
Now, Mousset's focus is on helping Vancouver FC push up the CPL table. With quite a young squad around him, Mousset knows his experience will be a valuable asset in the dressing room as much as it is on the field.
"I can show them what I can do on the pitch, and they can learn from that," Mousset told CPLsoccer.com. "I can speak to them as well; I'm going to speak with the younger lads, because we want to win games as well, and be at the top of the league."
On a personal level, Mousset is embracing the opportunity to learn about the Canadian soccer scene. Though he admits he's not yet very familiar with the level here, he's eager to get integrated as quickly as possible.
Mousset indicated that he'll be ramping up to full match fitness over the next few weeks, having recently joined VFC midway through pre-season preparations.
"I'm getting there," he said. "I'm trying to feel the ball, to play with the team, and it's very good. I'm feeling very good, and I'll see if I can progress during the next couple weeks. We'll see at the start of the season if I can get some minutes, because I came in a bit late compared to the other people."
He added that Martin Nash and the Vancouver coaching staff have challenged him to reach his full potential in the CPL. With his quality and experience, he has the tools to be one of the league's most dangerous scorers.
"They just want to push me to the best level I was," Mousset said. "We agree on that, and we know if I'm on the best level, I can help."
Mousset and VFC have their eyes on the club's home opener on April 4, when they'll take on the Halifax Wanderers to begin the 2026 campaign.
