Stratigakis Signs: AFC Toronto Brings In Summertime Reinforcement

The top spot in the Northern Super League hasn’t slowed AFC Toronto down from the summer market: just days after mutually terminating its contract with Shaina Ashouri, the club is bringing in Canadian midfielder Sarah Stratigakis.

The Woodbridge native, 26, spent the last season playing with AS Saint-Etienne in France’s top flight, helping the club reach the Coupe de France semi-finals.

“I’m hoping that I can be dangerous and just be very entertaining [for AFC Toronto fans] to watch. I love to bring that joy on the field,” says Stratigakis. “I’ve been away from home for many years now, playing in some very competitive leagues, but from watching the NSL and seeing the growth of the league, it’s something I can’t wait to be a part of.”

The midfielder’s career began in Europe through Swedish side Vittsjo GIK, where her first three seasons as a professional footballer saw her record ten goals and eight assist before a move to England with Barclays Women’s Super League side Bristol City.

Stratigakis has represented the Canadian national team no less than five times, even scoring in the 2021 SheBelieves cup. At 26, a return home in Canada’s new professional women’s league could be exactly what the doctor ordered to reignite the national team’s interest in her.

The midfielder has put pen to paper on a pre-contract with the side and is formally set to arrive on July 1. However, she won’t be available for selection until the NSL transfer window officially opens on July 20, making her first eligible match the game against Vancouver Rise four days afterwards.

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“We are delighted to be adding real quality to our squad ahead of the summer transfer window. ‘Strats’ is a player that we’ve been tracking for some time,” reveals AFC Toronto Sporting Director Billy Wilson.

“She is a player who brings lots of experience having played in Sweden, England, and most recently France. She’s technically very clean and a creative midfield player who will complement the talent that we already have on our roster. With this addition, we are adding another talented Canadian who is ready to come home and be part of what we are building in Toronto!”

The Northern Super League side also teased that it wasn’t finished with play at BMO Field, where it opened its inaugural season in front of a sellout lower bowl crowd of 14,500. AFC Toronto teased that big moments at BMO Field are still to come, along with home matches at York Lions Stadium slated all through the summer.