15 Quebecois Players FC Supra Could Get On A Free

The Canadian Premier League’s newest club has an incredible hook to its roster building process: the FC Supra squad is set to be comprised entirely of Quebecois talent, who were either born in the province or have spent considerable time living there.

We’ve seen that in the footballing world through the likes of Athletic Bilbao signing only Basque players or FC Flora signing only Estonian athletes, but we’ve never seen such a project on Canadian soil before.

See Also: Meet FC Supra – The CPL’s Newest Team

The staff behind the new club certainly have their work cut out to assemble a roster in such a tight window, which got us wondering what Quebecois talent might be on offer next season. It’s expensive to build a roster from scratch, however, so we’re going to take a look at who FC Supra could bring in on free transfers come 2026:

Samuel Salter

It’s hard to look beyond Samuel Salter when it comes to a red hot, proven Quebecois striker on Canadian soil. The star Atletico Ottawa forward is in the midst of a record-breaking season, tallying an incredible 18 goals in 25 games – and his overall total CPL haul is nearly up to fifty, too.

A clinical finisher in a league where that sometimes goes wanting, he’s entering the prime age of his career at 25 and shows no signings of slowing down. Being born in Laval, Salter would be a statement signing for FC Supra in the club’s inaugural season.

David Choiniere

One of the most well-respected names in the entire league, David Choiniere has been a Forge loyalist ever since the league’s inaugural campaign, helping them to four league titles and proving himself to a big-game player.

The midfielder was born and raised just southeast of Montreal, with his first professional steps coming through the CF Montreal pipeline. While it’s hard to see envision the veteran anywhere else but Forge, a move to FC Supra would turn heads. With his multi-year deal reportedly set to expire after this season, many eyes will be watching his next steps carefully: after all, he’s been on the watchlist for many CPL sides, not just FC Supra.

Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare

It kind of feels like anchoring midfielder Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare has been waiting for a Quebecois team to pop up: the former CF Montreal midfielder has circled around the province since his MLS days, featuring for the Ottawa Fury, York United, and two separate spells with the Halifax Wanderers.

The thirty-year-old Sherbrooke native has been limited to just 45 minutes of action through four off-the-bench appearances, so a new chapter in a new location looks like just what the doctor may have ordered for JGL. At thirty years old, he’d offer an experienced voice in a locker room that will be in need of guidance.

Diyaeddine Abzi

Former York United left-back Diyaeddine Abzi had dazzled for years on the pitch at York Lions Stadium, eventually earning a big move to Ligue 2 side Pau FC and and a subsequent loan to CD Leganes. The rise of the star CPL defender was put firmly on pause with a two-year anti-doping suspension related to cannabis, however, stopping Abzi’s European chapter right in its tracks.

That suspension will lift on January 27, 2026, paving the way for Abzi – who was raised in Montreal and once played in Ligue1 Quebec with AS Blainville – to make a return in a good environment close to home.

Sean Rea

After his award-winning time on loan with Valour, it looked like Sean Rea was destined to play under the lights of Stade Saputo upon his return home – but after falling out of favour with Hernan Losada, the midfielder trialed in Portland before a stint in Spain preceded a return up north through the Halifax Wanderers, who have taken fair advantage of Quebecois talent over the past few years.

With his contract up at the season’s end, Rea has remained an upper tier talent in CPL circles, and securing his talents for 2026 would be a big statement of intent from FC Supra.

Chrisnovic N’sa

Speaking of expiring contracts, Chrisnovic N’sa will see his deal with Superettan side Ostersunds FK conclude at the end of the season. The 26-year-old Montreal native cemented himself as a top defender in the league through its first few seasons, featuring for both Halifax Wanderers and York United before making a move to MLS Next Pro side Huntsville City.

Known for his tenacious drive on the pitch and a friendly, larger-than-life attitude off of it, N’sa is the kind of player who contributes greatly to locker room health and community roots – exactly what an expansion club needs. He’s a consistent performer and a great addition to a club setting the tone for a positive culture.

Zachary Fernandez

The biggest barrier between FC Supra and top CPL defender Zachary Fernandez is, of course, that Valour holds a club option on him for 2026. By way of gentleman’s agreements, these don’t always gets triggered, and we’d say Fernandez is a must-sign if FC Supra has the opportunity – even if the defender is coming off from a season-ending injury.

Hailing right from Laval, the fast-footed right-back made waves with AS Blainville before turning professional with the Halifax Wanderers. His dangerous runs saw him tally five assists in his rookie campaign, and he’s been firing on all cylinders ever since. Despite rumours of an MLS move, Valour managed to secure his signature this season, and that shows us that Fernandez is the kind of player who’s keen for adventure – so why not one closer to home?

Nassim Mekideche

One of Laval’s own, six-foot-two centre-back Nassim Mekideche has had some injury struggles of late but remains highly-rated by his current Halifax Wanderers side. They hold a club option on him for ’26, so whether a move to FC Supra takes place depends on more than just FC Supra’s own roster building decisions.

At 25, Mekideche is entering a prime age for his career and has proven himself to be a sturdy option in the league through both Valour and Halifax, having also warranted a look in Sporting Kansas City II between the two. If he’s fit and free, Mekideche would be a great local pickup for the CPL’s newest club.

Alessandro Riggi

Born and raised in Montreal, 31-year-old Alessandro Riggi still has plenty of fast-footed venom and would offer a veteran presence in addition to plenty of CPL experience from his time with Halifax and Valour. Riggi made nearly fifty appearances for the old FC Montreal, and tallied almost the same number of appearances in CPL action – in short, he knows his way around Canadian football.

The last few seasons have seen Riggi play in Cambodia, the Philippines, and Bhutan, so a return back home could be a big draw for the former Impact Academy top goalscorer.

Alessandro Biello

Given that Alessandro’s father Mauro once suited up for the original FC Supra, we’d love to see his son following in similiar foosteps. That would have to come in through a loan from CF Montreal, but given that Alessandro’s MLS side currently has the 19-year-old in on loan with Halifax, we could easily see a second consecutive CPL loan spell happening.

Jaylen-Andre Vilsaint

The little brother of Jules-Anthony Vilsaint is the kind of ceiling with a low risk and high ceiling: a Haiti U-20 international born and raised in Montreal, Vilsaint is a centre-back raised through the Montreal Academy before spending the last few years in Portugal developing with the U-23 team of second division side Torreense.

A return to home soil would be a big draw for Vilsaint, who would clock in as a young talent with a high ceiling for FC Supra. There’s not too much risk involved, and the technical level it takes to play in Portugal could see Vilsant prove an astute pickup.

Mamadou Kane

Mamadou Kane will clock in as a young forward well familiar to Club President Rocco Placentino, having spent the last two years in Ligue1 Quebec following a couple seasons in the CPL with York United, FC Edmonton, and Vancouver FC.

Kane had been touted as a high potential forward from La Belle Province, and has now had a few seasons of more physical development that might set him up well for a potential CPL return. Still just 21 years old, he’s been in several different professional environments and may just be equipped to step back into he spotlight.

Mohamed Cisset

Montreal-born defender Mohamed Cisset stepped into the pro ranks of FC Dallas feeder side North Texas SC this year, featuring regularly on the backline but also being deputized out left. An assertive defender, the Mali-Canadian centre-back had impressed at Penn State and the Montverde Academy academy prior, and while North Texas has a club option on him, FC Supra will want to keep a close eye on Cisset if the southern state doesn’t beckon for him come 2026.

Karifa Yao

Another Laval native, Karifa Yao is no stranger to Canada’s top flight after spending two seasons on loan with Cavalry. The sturdy, six-foot-two centre-back then jumped from CF Montreal to the Vancouver Whitecaps, getting a sniff of MLS action before going down stateside with Rhode Island.

While his USL side has a club option for 2026, Yao could potentially enter the free agent market with his best years ahead of him. He’s a must-sign if FC Supra have the opportunity.

Keesean Ferdinand

This Montreal-born baller once made history as both the youngest player to sign for the CF Montreal and the fastest to rise through their pre-academy system to earn a first team deal. He was just 17 when he first graced the CPL trough a loan to Atletico Ottawa, and the years since have seen him feature regularly for the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew MLS NEXT pro teams.

While already having several years of experience on the pro circuit, Ferdinand is just 22 years of age with a long career ahead of him. With his contract set to run out at the end of the season, it’d be easy to see a return to CPL on the cards for him.

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There are plenty of other high-profile talents who have options elsewhere – like Woobens Pacius or James Pantemis, for example – but we have to see how plenty of club options pan out to truly gauge the free agent market for 2026. The goalkeeper position will be a key one to get right, but FC Supra should expect to see plenty of Quebecois talent available on free transfers.