NSL Player Signing Recap: Star Signings Ignite Excitement Across the League

NSL Player Signing Recap: Star Signings Ignite Excitement Across the League
Published on
January 17, 2025

The past week has been electrifying for NSL fans, as clubs across the league revealed a series of thrilling player signings. From world-class internationals to breakout stars, here’s a recap of the announcements from this week:

Calgary Wild FC

Calgary Wild FC made headlines with the addition of two highly accomplished players to their squad. First up is Talia White, a versatile defender capable of playing both centre-back and fullback. White joins Calgary from Treaty United, bringing with her an impressive resume that includes being named Essendon Royals Player of the Year in 2023 and South Hobart Player of the Year in 2022. She’s also a two-time Canada West Conference First Team All-Star and a five-time Academic All-Canadian, showcasing her excellence on and off the field.

Joining White is Jenaya Robertson, a dynamic midfielder and a proven winner. Robertson, who previously played for Trinity Western, has accumulated a host of accolades, including USPORTS Player of the Year and Canada West Player of the Year for the 2019/20 season. With professional experience spanning Germany, Spain, and Ireland—and a President’s Cup title with Athlone Town in 2024—she is expected to be a key player for Calgary this season.

Halifax Tides FC

Halifax Tides FC made an exciting move by signing Christabel Oduro, a forward with a wealth of international experience. Having played for clubs in Germany, Sweden, Israel, Malta, and Turkey, Oduro’s diverse career has seen her take on top-tier competition across Europe. A standout from her early years, Oduro represented Canada’s U20 team at the 2012 CONCACAF Championship, helping secure a second-place finish. She later went on to compete in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, and now she brings her proven attacking prowess to Halifax, ready to elevate their forward line.

Montreal Roses FC

The Montreal Roses FC brought a wave of excitement with their signings of two homegrown talents ready to shine. Mégane Sauvé, a winger who has been dazzling audiences in Portugal’s Campeonato Nacional Feminino, is returning to her roots. After stints with Valadares Gaia FC and Sporting CP, where she won the Portuguese Supercup, Sauvé is eager to make her mark back home.

The Roses also added Noémi Paquin, a prolific forward who made waves during her collegiate career at Florida International University. With 15 goals and 4 assists in just 20 matches, Paquin earned honors such as C-USA Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. Her ability to dominate on the field helped FIU secure both the regular season and conference tournament championships, and she is ready to bring that same spark to Montreal.

Ottawa Rapid

Ottawa Rapid turned heads with four impactful signings. Liv Scott, a promising defender who recently graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2024 brings a wealth of youth international experience to the team, having played for Team Canada in the U15 CONCACAF Championship, where she earned a silver medal. She also represented Canada at the Four Nations U17 Tournament in China, further solidifying her potential as a key defensive presence for the Rapid this season.

Ottawa also added Miranda Smith, a midfielder with extensive international experience, who joins the team after playing in the top divisions of Finland, Iceland, France, and Israel. Smith also played a pivotal role in the University of Ottawa’s 2018 U SPORTS National Championship victory, where she was named Tournament MVP.

Adding a wealth of experience and leadership to the squad is Desiree Scott, one of Canada’s most decorated players. The Winnipeg native has represented Canada at four Olympic Games, earning a gold medal at Tokyo 2020 and bronze medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016. With over 10,000 career minutes logged in the NWSL and a decade of professional experience, Scott’s return to Canadian soccer is a monumental addition for Ottawa.

The Rapid also secured Mollie Eriksson, a goalkeeper with a stellar track record. Eriksson captained North Mississauga in League1 Ontario and was a standout at DePaul University, where she served as starting goalkeeper and captain for two seasons. She also brings international experience, having represented Sweden at the U16 and U17 levels in UEFA tournaments.

AFC Toronto

AFC Toronto strengthened their roster with two standout players. Hong Hye-ji, a defender with 40 caps for South Korea’s Senior National Team, brings her international pedigree to Toronto. Hong has competed against some of the best teams in the world, including the U.S. and England, and was a key contributor to Hyundai Steel Red Angels’ multiple WK League championships. Her leadership and defensive prowess will be invaluable.

Also joining Toronto is Sofia Manner, a talented goalkeeper who previously played for Orlando Pride. Manner has showcased her skills on international stages, including the NWSL X Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. A two-time America East Goalkeeper of the Year during her college career, she also excelled in Finland’s Kansallinen Liiga with FC Honka. Her addition solidifies Toronto’s last line of defense.

Vancouver Rise FC

The Vancouver Rise FC made waves with the signing of Quinn, a global icon and trailblazer. With over 200 appearances for club and country, Quinn has earned an Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020 and a bronze at Rio 2016. They have been a cornerstone for Seattle Reign FC, winning the NWSL Shield in 2022, and remain the highest-drafted Canadian in NWSL history. Quinn’s impact extends far beyond the pitch, as they have inspired countless fans as the first openly non-binary transgender athlete to medal and win gold at the Olympics and to compete in the FIFA World Cup.

Also joining the Rise is Nikki Stanton, an NWSL veteran midfielder with a proven track record across multiple top leagues. Stanton’s relentless work ethic and playmaking ability have been on display in over 100 league appearances, including stints with Seattle Reign, Chicago Red Stars, and Perth Glory in the W-League. Stanton is known for her dynamic style of play, driving her team forward with creativity and tireless energy, and is expected to be a key figure in Vancouver’s midfield this season.

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