Canadians on the Move | August transfer recap
If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to check out last month’s transfer recap(https://cafeterodelnorte.com/canadian-soccer-july-2025-transfer-recap/), because August brought another wave of Canadian movement across the footballing world. From major European signings to MLS swaps and rising youth talents, Canadian players continue to make their mark both at home and abroad.
Tani Oluwaseyi
Tani Oluwaseyi completed a big move from Minnesota United FC to Villarreal for a fee of €9 million. The 25-year-old striker is regarded as one of Canada’s top forwards and now joins one of the biggest leagues in the world, at a club that already features fellow Canadian Tajon Buchanan—who has been thriving at Villarreal. Over his last two seasons with Minnesota, Oluwaseyi recorded 20 goals and 12 assists in 59 matches. This transfer feels like a great step forward for his career, and Canadian fans will be hoping he can take LaLiga by storm just as Buchanan has.
Derek Cornelius
Derek Cornelius left Marseille on loan to join Rangers in Scotland. At 27, Cornelius remains one of Canada’s first-choice centre backs, but since Roberto De Zerbi took charge in Marseille, he has struggled to keep his starting spot. Rangers might not carry the same prestige as Marseille, but they are still a historic club competing in European competition. This loan spell should give Cornelius valuable minutes, and Canadian fans will be eager to see him make the most of it.
Joel Waterman
Veteran centre back Joel Waterman left CF Montréal to join Chicago Fire in a deal worth €430k. At 29 years old, Waterman brings experience and leadership to his new club. Since joining Montréal in 2020, he has enjoyed multiple strong seasons and established himself as a reliable defender. Moving to a more competitive MLS side in Chicago offers him the chance to prove his quality again, and hopefully he continues to play at a high level.
Jamie Knight-Lebel
Young defender Jamie Knight-Lebel secured a loan move from Bristol City to Swindon Town in England’s League Two. At 22 years old, this step down in division may seem modest, but it should provide him with much-needed playing time to develop further. With Jesse Marsch clearly including him in his long-term Canadian national team plans, regular minutes at Swindon could be an important stage in his progression toward becoming a dependable international player.
Kyle Larin
Kyle Larin secured a last-minute loan move from Mallorca to Feyenoord. At 30 years old, the striker remains one of Canada’s legends, sitting as the second all-time top goalscorer for the men’s national team. While he has recently lost his guaranteed starting spot alongside Jonathan David, his importance to Canada cannot be overstated.
Over the past two seasons in LaLiga, Larin delivered steady performances, featuring in 76 matches, scoring 14 goals, and adding 5 assists. Now, he joins a strong Feyenoord side in a slightly less competitive league but with the added bonus of Europa League football. That means plenty of opportunities to shine on the European stage. To make things even more exciting, he’ll be coached by none other than striker legend Robin van Persie—an experience that could add another dimension to his game.
Thelonius Bair
Thelonius Bair made a somewhat surprising move, leaving AJ Auxerre on loan to join Lausanne-Sport. The 26-year-old forward, who can play both as a striker and on the wing, takes a clear step down in league and team quality. Still, the switch offers a new challenge.
Last season, Bair performed respectably in Ligue 1 despite limited opportunities. He appeared in 30 matches for Auxerre, starting only 12, yet managed to score twice and register an assist. Now with Lausanne, he will be playing in a less competitive league, and the team itself hasn’t had the best start to the season. The upside, however, is their participation in the Conference League, which could give him a platform to show his ability. Hopefully, he can help Lausanne turn things around while making an impact in European competition. Long term, the hope remains that he returns from this loan ready to truly establish himself in Ligue 1.
Jules-Anthony Vilsaint
Jules-Anthony Vilsaint made the switch from Montréal to their rivals Toronto FC in a swap deal that saw Matty Longstaff head the other way. The 22-year-old is a versatile attacker who can play across the forward line and in midfield. For TFC supporters, he’s an exciting prospect to watch—still young but already showing promise. In fact, he made an immediate impact, scoring with his very first touch for Toronto. With his versatility and potential, he could grow into an important player for the club.
Bonus Player
Dylan Judelson
Seventeen-year-old Dylan Judelson might not yet be a household name, but he signed a professional contract with Orlando City this month. The Canadian-American midfielder, who can play both centrally and defensively, has already represented Canada at the U17 level. This move gives him a platform to grow within MLS, and though he is still very young, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on for the future of Canadian soccer.
Final thoughts
That wraps up our Canadian transfer recap for August. As the season unfolds, it will be exciting to see how these moves shape careers and strengthen Canada’s player pool. Look out for our upcoming rankings of the top Canadian transfers this year.
Which move do you think will have the biggest impact? Do you see Oluwaseyi thriving in LaLiga alongside Buchanan, or will someone like Vilsaint make the bigger impression in MLS? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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