Valour FC signs Canadian youth international forward Myles Morgan

Myles Morgan (21) celebrates a goal in Canada's 8-0 win over Dominica in CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifying play in Port-of-Spain,Trinidad, in this Friday, February 23, 2024 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Canada Soccer *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Valour FC has signed Canadian youth international forward Myles Morgan to a two-year contract with an option for 2027.

The 19-year-old from Pickering, Ont., came through the Toronto FC academy system and played for TFC 2 before heading west to join the Vancouver Whitecaps’ reserve side in MLS Next Pro.

Morgan scored four goals in two matches, including a hat trick in his debut against Dominica, in 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship qualifying play. He subsequently started three of Canada’s four matches and scored one goal at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship last July, including its quarterfinal loss to Panama.

“Myles is a good young player who will add quality and versatility to our front line,” Valour coach and GM Phillip Dos Santos said in a statement. “He’s a youth International who still has a big margin to progress and grow. We are looking forward to see how he can adapt to the pace and physicality of the CPL.”

In other CPL news, Pacific FC has signed former Mexican youth international striker Emanuel Montejano to a one-year contract with an option for 2026.

The 23-year-old from Mexico City came up through Pumas UNAM academy, competing for the club’s U-17 and U-20 side before making his first-team debut in a Copa MX match in October 2019.

“Emanuel comes from a good background and he’s an ambitious, hungry striker wanting to prove himself,” said Pacific coach James Merriman. “He’s very dynamic on and off the ball with good power in front of goal. We believe he can be a big piece for our season as a central striker.”

Montejano continued to appear for the Pumas; U-20 and former second-division affiliate Pumas Tabascos following his debut for the senior side. He made 72 appearances between those three squads from January 2020 to November 2023, contributing 17 goals in all competitions.

He has two goals in 16 first-team appearances across all competitions.

Montejano spent last season in the second-tier Liga de Expansion MX with Celaya Futbol Club, making 16 appearances for the Guanajuato-based club.

Montejano, who represented Mexico at the under-18 level, joins fellow Pacific attackers Josh Heard, Ronan Kratt, Dario Zanatta and Marco Bustos.

Elsewhere, Vancouver FC goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos announced his retirement.

“I’ve accomplished a lot,” said the 30-year-old from Markham, Ont. “I have no regrets. I have done it my way and my way only, and I’m very happy with how my playing career panned out.”

Giantsopoulos is a CPL original, having spent time with Cavalry FC, York United FC and Vancouver from 2019 to 2024. In all, he made amassed 65 appearances in all competitions for CPL clubs.

During Giantsopoulos’ time with York, he earned a short-term loan with the Vancouver Whitecaps in May 2022, a first for a CPL goalkeeper.

“Everyone at Vancouver FC would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Niko on an impressive career,” Vancouver FC coach Afshin Ghotbi said in a statement. “Niko’s story is one of diligence and determination, and he is an example that hard work can make dreams come true. He has been a mainstay in the Canadian Premier League since our inaugural season, and we’re pleased he could spend the last of his playing days with VFC.”

Giantsopoulos' pro career began with Devonport City in the Australian second tier in 2016. He went on to play for Broadmeadow Magic and 2017 and Launceston City in 2018 in Australia before returning to Canada and the CPL.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2025.

The Canadian Press