11 high-profile Canadian Premier League free agents that could be on the move in 2025

CanPL

It is signing season in the Canadian Premier League, and several big-name players have already put pen to paper with new clubs.

Last week, Forge FC inked 2024 Players’ Player of the Year Brian Wright following his departure from York United, while goalkeeper Rayane Yesli is headed to Halifax. Earlier in the off-season, free agent centre-back Thomas Meilleur-Giguère also signed with the Wanderers.

However, a long list of other notable CPL players remain out of contract and could search for a new club within the league in 2025.

Here are 11 Canadian Premier League free agents to keep an eye on this off-season:

Mo Babouli

After three seasons spent with the Nine Stripes, and parts of five seasons in the league overall, having previously spent two seasons at Forge, the 32-year-old Babouli is now a free agent. One of the most exciting attacking players in the league on his day, Babouli scored five goals and added two assists in 2024 – also scoring in both of York’s playoff matches. Having won a CPL title with Forge in 2020, and with 24 goals and 10 assists in 79 CPL matches in his career, he is a proven attacker in this league who would be an asset for any team looking to bolster their attack in 2025.

Tristan Borges

It’s difficult to imagine Tristan Borges in any colour other than orange, but the reigning CPL Player of the Year is technically out of contract at Forge. Of course, the most likely outcome is that Borges remains in Hamilton to continue building his legacy there, but could it be at all possible that another side can tempt him? Borges had eight goals and six assists in the 2024 regular season, but any move for him would be one of the most shocking in CPL history.

Terran Campbell

The Canadian Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer was held without a goal in 2024 for the first season in the league’s history. Limited to just seven CPL matches in a campaign where he struggled with injury, the 26-year-old will be looking to bounce back in 2025, potentially with a new club. Having scored double-digit goals in three different CPL campaigns, spent between Forge and Pacific, the three-time CPL champion has a body of work which suggests he would be an excellent signing for a team searching for a proven number nine.

Kunle Dada-Luke

The dynamic fullback has been one of Pacific FC’s most dependable players over the past four seasons, with 117 appearances in all competitions for the Tridents. The 24-year-old won the league with them in 2021, and was a key piece during Pacific’s Concacaf League campaign in 2022. A player with strong defensive awareness as well as electric speed and dribbling ability, he has been one of the league’s most exciting players to watch. With several CPL teams in the market for a new fullback, Dada-Luke would be an excellent fit for multiple clubs across the league.

Tass Mourdoukoutas

Mourdoukoutas has demonstrated over the past two and a half seasons in the CPL, first with York United and then this past year with Valour, that he can be a leader in the backline. The 25-year-old Australian is a dependable defender who is excellent in the air and has a good range of passing. Having shown an ability to quickly adapt to a new system and be an effective player, both coming midway through the 2022 season to York United, and joining Valour last year, might Mourdoukoutas be in search of a third CPL home this off-season?

Dan Nimick

The 2024 campaign was a disappointing one for Nimick, who had been one of the CPL’s standout newcomers in 2023 and a nominee for Defender of the Year. Last year however, Nimick and the Halifax Wanderers failed to replicate the success of the year prior, and Nimick struggled, being sent off in back-to-back appearances in September. The Wanderers conceded a league-most 43 goals, and Nimick is now looking for a fresh start as a free agent. If he chooses to look for another CPL destination, most clubs would surely overlook a frustrating 2024 given his immense skillset and potential – not to mention his ability to score from the penalty spot.

Austin Ricci

The 28-year-old forward has been in the league since its inaugural season, spending time with York, Valour and most recently Vancouver FC on loan. A tenacious attacker with an ability to score from distance, Ricci has regained health in recent years after missing large parts of 2021, and almost all of 2022, with injury. With 70 games of CPL experience and 12 goals and six assists in that time, he would be an excellent fit for any club looking for a reliable attacker who can make an impact off the bench as well.

Dominic Samuel

The fan-favourite defender said an emotional goodbye to Hamilton in December, as the Forge FC original revealed he will not be returning to the club in 2025 after six years there. At 30 years old, Samuel has won four CPL championships and a regular season title with the Hammers, also competing in high-profile Concacaf and Canadian Championship clashes. His experience would be valuable to any CPL team looking to add a veteran centre-back – plus, as we saw in this year’s playoffs, he’s still got the pace to be a nuisance to the league’s top attackers.

Malcolm Shaw

Shaw won’t be returning to Cavalry after not quite finding his footing in his first season at the club, but he has over 100 games of experience for CPL sides between a year with the Cavs and four with Atlético Ottawa. The Pickering native has potted 21 goals for CPL clubs over his career, and his finishing ability and poacher’s instinct could be attractive to any team looking for an out-and-out number nine to play up front.

Luke Singh

Following three seasons on loan in the CPL from Toronto FC, the past two of which were spent in the nation’s capital with Atlético Ottawa, Singh was released by the MLS club following the 2024 campaign. After his performances in the CPL over the past few seasons, however, there will likely be more than a few clubs interested in signing the central defender on a full-time basis. Outstanding on the ball, and at making progressive passes, Singh is an especially good fit for a club looking to play a possession-based style.

Cédric Toussaint

The 23-year-old is out of contract after spending parts of the last three seasons on Vancouver Island. Toussaint, a gritty defensive midfielder who played a key role in front of Pacific’s defence, would be an asset to any side looking to add some bite in the middle of the pitch. The native of Drummondville, Que. has over 100 games’ experience with CPL sides, including five playoff matches and two in the Concacaf League, and at his age could continue to improve. He’d fill a need for multiple clubs.