AFC Toronto Signs Canadian International Shelina Zadorsky

In a headline midweek move, Northern Super League side AFC Toronto is bringing Canadian international Shelina Zadorsky into the fold.

The veteran defender, 33, is an Olympic gold winner who has been a longstanding member of the Canadian women’s national team, with her club career stretching through Australia, Sweden, USA, and England, where she most recently plied her trade with West Ham United.

“She is one of Canada’s most decorated footballers and will bring exceptional quality, leadership, and experience to our squad,” says AFC Toronto technical director Billy Wilson.

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“Shelina has enjoyed a distinguished career in some of the world’s top leagues, including the NWSL and the Women’s Super League, so it means a great deal that she has chosen to come home and join AFC Toronto.”

Zadorsky will be expected to impose herself on the AFC backline, with last year’s regular season champions currently resting third of six teams. The club also brought in Sabrina D’Angelo, along with young Ghanaian midfielder Linda Owusu Ansah this summer.

Zardorsky’s career started in the nation’s capital with now-defunct USL W-League side Ottawa Fury Women, with the centre-back beginning a long career abroad following the club’s disbandment.

Spells with Perth Glory and Vittsjo GIK preceded a US chapter with the Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride, with the COVID-19 pandemic making way for a loan to England’s Tottenham Hotspur that was quickly made permanent as the defender settled in.

Zadorsky would later move to West Ham, becoming the side’s vice captain as head coach Rheanne Skinner hailed her as a defender who knows what it takes to be a winner.

Now, that mentality heads back home to Ontario, with Zadorsky also bringing in the experience of over one hundred international caps – and that historic Olympic gold win – for Canada with her to AFC Toronto.

AFC Toronto are back in action at York Lions Stadium against the Ottawa Rapid on Saturday, July 11.