Veteran Victoria Pickett signs with AFC Toronto, making move permanent after loan

AFC Toronto midfielder Victoria Pickett (94) and Montreal Roses FC forward Tanya Boychuk (12) battle for control of the ball during first half Northern Super League soccer action in Toronto on Saturday, April 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

TORONTO — Victoria Pickett, who spent 2025 on loan with AFC Toronto from the NWSL’s North Carolina Courage, has signed a contract to stay with the Northern Super League team.

The 29-year-old from Barrie, Ont., made her debut in Toronto’s debut game last April and went on to play 1,834 minutes across the regular season and playoffs, shifting from the midfield to the backline at the end of the season due to injuries elsewhere in the team.

Billy Wilson, AFC Toronto’s sporting director, says he expects Pickett to remain at centre back next season.

“She’s got the versatility to play multiple positions but we believe her best position is playing in the back three,” Wilson said.

“She truly is world-class when it comes to athleticism,” he added. “Very few players globally have her physical attributes.”

Pickett helped Toronto finish atop the NSL regular season standings at 16-6-3 and reach the Nov. 15 championship game, where it lost 2-1 to the Vancouver Rise.

“I loved my time in Toronto from the very beginning,” Pickett said in a statement. “Being part of AFC Toronto’s first season, helping build something meaningful, and competing alongside this group was incredibly special. This club is ambitious, competitive, and committed to growth, and I’m excited to keep pushing forward here as we look ahead to next season.”

Kansas City selected Pickett in the second round (15th overall) of the 2021 NWSL draft out of the University of Wisconsin where she went from Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2015 to a first-team all-American in 2018.

Pickett was a finalist for NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2021 with the Kansas City before trades took her to Gotham FC (in August 2022) and North Carolina (in April 2023). Pickett’s first-ever NWSL goal helped expansion Kansas City to its first-ever NWSL win. She also scored on debut for North Carolina.

On the international front, Pickett represented Canada at three FIFA youth tournaments (the 2012 U-17 World Cup in Azerbaijan and the 2014 and 2106 FIFA U-20 World Cups in Canada and Papua New Guinea, respectively).

Called into camp by the senior team on six occasions, Pickett made her senior debut in November 2021 against Mexico with her third and last cap coming in February 2022 against England.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2026.

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press