Forge FC Re-Signs Striker Molham Babouli

Reigning Canadian Premier League champions Forge FC have confirmed the return of 28-year-old striker Molham Babouli for the 2021 season.

The former Toronto FC striker first signed for Forge FC last August after having trained with the club’s regional rivals, York United. He went on to appear in all but one league match for Forge FC at The Island Games, registering three assists and scoring the goal that sent Forge FC to its second CPL Final:

He also appeared in all four of the side’s Concacaf League matches, scoring a goal in an underdog victory of Panamanian side Tauro FC.

With Forge FC expected to take on Toronto FC in a belated Canadian Championship Final set for later on this month, the side has now secured essentially all of its core roster: fifteen players are now set to return after finishing top at The Island Games, nearly all of whom were core players.

Babouli becomes the first out-and-out striker to re-sign with the side ahead of the upcoming season, with Anthony Novak having left for Portuguese side Clube Condeixa. While he could return in time for the upcoming season, he’ll miss the upcoming domestic cup bout against Toronto FC.

Prior to signing with Forge, Babouli had a rough go things following contractual issues with Syrian Premier League side Al-Ittihad SC Aleppo that left him out of the professional game for the 2019 season. Babouli had made 19 Major League Soccer appearances for Toronto FC before that, contributing two assists in the Canadian Championship and lifting the Voyageurs Cup in the 2015-2016 season.

During his break away from professional football due to the aforementioned contractual issues, Babouli played indoor football with the Mississauga MetroStars and also played in the CSL with FC Ukraine United, where he bagged eleven goals in seven games in 2019.

The hammers announced the return of Belgian midfielder Paolo Sabak last week, while it was recently revealed that big-game player David Choiniere has made the fifty-man provisional roster for the Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying competition.

Forge FC did not disclose the length or financial details of Babouli’s contract.