Catching Up: Around The CPL This Week

The Canadian Premier League now finds itself in August, and the blazing sun isn’t the only thing bringing the heat: form is shifting greatly from club-to-club, with some sides that had firm grips on the upper echelons of the ranking now slipping down. For the bottom three, there’s still a lot of catching up to do if playoff hopes are to be saved.

All the action isn’t just on the pitch, however: this week saw plenty of player movement, so we wanted to catch up on all the action you might have missed before the weekend games kick off. We’ll go through not only transfers within the league, but a bit of relevant movement outside of it, too.

Let’s dive in:

Vancouver FC Takes In Herdman On Loan

Interim Vancouver FC coach Martin Nash has acquired the services of Cavalry’s Jay Herdman for the remainder of the season, with the Surrey, BC native immediately available for the Eagles.

Herdman introduced himself well to Canada’s top flight last season, arriving on loan from Whitecaps FC 2 and featuring in the tail-end of the title-winning season, featuring in both playoff wins over Forge and looking quite sharp in the final. While the 20-year-old started strong this year with an assist against Liga MX powerhouse Pumas, he hasn’t been earning full games: in 17 appearances this season, only two came in 90 minute shifts.

There’s a high ceiling in this move for Vancouver FC, who have built a side built strongly on local west coast talent. Herdman remains under contract with Cavalry through to 2026, with a club option for 2027.

Baldisimo Returns To Pacific, Who Bring In Three Recruits

It’s been a tough season for Pacific FC: after bringing in return of players like Marco Bustos and Kadin Chung, along with a good sprinkle of new talent, the side just hasn’t found a rhythm: there’s no trademark counter-attacking flourish, with the Tridents having scored less than anyone else in the league as they slump down to sixth place.

In a bid to turn things around, James Merriman has secured the return of title-winning midfielder Michael Baldisimo, who had previously turned a loan to York United into a permanent deal before being dropped by the Nine Stripes when his contract expired this year. With 92 appearances for CPL teams under his belt, he brings an air of experience that Merriman is banking on.

“We know Baldi very well, he’s an intelligent player has good game understanding, versatility, and can play multiple positions with excellent technique,” says the gaffer. “He will improve our squad and be an important piece for us as we attack the last part of our season.”

The club is also taking a punt on some defensive acquisitions on two Ontario natives who return from abroad. First is Burlington, Ontario native Ahmad Mansour, a centre-back who most recently played in Oman with Sur Sports Club and was previously playing club ball in Lebanon, and second is Innisfil, Ontario native Roshawn Juhmi, who spent the last six seasons playing outside of the professional level in Portugal with SC Vista Alegre.

Don’t forget that the Tridents parted ways with Pedro Machado a few weeks ago, so the Tridents line-up at the tail end of the season has certainly seen some shifting.

Owolabi-Belewu Agrees To Chesterfield Deal

The 2025 Canadian Premier League season will be Malik Owolabi-Belewu’s last in orange, with the 23-year-old defender reaching a pre-contract agreement with League Two side Chesterfield FC. He will join the side formally on January 1 following the expiry of his contract with Forge, who had activated a one-year extension last December.

The London-born baller, 23, had signed for the hammers back in 2022 and has been a regular feature for the CPL heavyweights, tallying three goals and 82 appearances en route two two league titles and three final appearances. He had previously featured in Italy with SPAL at the U-19 level, and had trialed with the Whitecaps and Toronto FC academies.

With 2026 just four months away, he’s now set to play professionally in England in the near future.

“I’m excited to get started, I’ve seen how passionate the fans are and how talented the squad is. I want to add my qualities to the mix and use them to help this club achieve its ambitions,” said Owolabi-Belewu in a club announcement. As the move will come as a free transfer, Forge won’t be getting any compensation as part of the deal.

Daan Klomp Is A Free Agent…For Now

One of the greatest defenders to feature in the Canadian Premier League so far entered free agency on Friday night.

Dutch defender Daan Klomp, 26, formally parted ways with RAAL La Louviere on Friday night, departing from the Belgian side just two games into their top flight campaign. It’s been a tough season for Klomp, who never really got started in Belgium after having shopped himself to A-League powerhouse Adelaide United.

Still, there isn’t a Canadian Premier League side who wouldn’t welcome him back to Canada with open arms: his four-year stint with Cavalry saw him establish himself as a top defender with great physicality and tactical awareness. Klomp earned a league MVP award, back-to-back defender of the year awards, and national championship with Cavalry during his time in Alberta, so it’ll be interesting to see if he comes back into the fold or seeks another opportunity outside of Canada.

Cale Loughrey Signs In Hamilton…Just Not The One You Think

Former Halifax Wanderers defender Cale Loughrey landed his next move this week, putting pen to paper on an amateur contract with Scottish League one side Hamilton Academical FC.

Loughrey had established himself as a strong component of the Halifax Wanderers through two seasons out east, with the left-footed Loughrey having also featured for FC Edmonton and Forge FC during his time playing professionally in Canada. He had spent a spell with Romanian second tier side Corvinus Hunedoara after shedding his Wanderers blue.

Flashback: One Neighboirs, Loughrey And Aird Stand On Opposite Al Classico Battle Lines

“He’s impressed us in the short time he’s been here and has a desire to play and improve,” said Hamilton Accies head coach John Rankin. “Moving to a new country can’t be easy, but he’s put the work in over the last few weeks and I’m looking forward to getting him involved in games this season.”

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The action begins early this weekend with an early afternoon 905 Derby, with York United hosting Forge. Nine Stripes boss Mauro Eustaquio just claimed the league’s Manager of the Month award, whilst Forge captain Kyle Bekker and goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat won Player of the Month and Goalkeeper of the Month – let’s see who brings more to the table today.

Later on today we’ll see Cavalry host the Halifax Wanderers. Cavalry are in quite a slump and are at risk of losing their grip on third place, though perhaps the only team in worse form over the last few games are the visitors.

Tomorrow will see Valour tasked with hosting high-flying Atletico Ottawa, with the weekend closing out with a Salish Sea Derby between Martin Nash’s new-look Vancouver FC and a Pacific FC side that just added three new faces to the mix.