Binate Etches Back Into Pro Ranks With Estonia Move

Former Valour FC midfielder Abdul Binate spent the last season as an absolute phenom in Ligue1 Quebec ranks, wrapping his season by winning the semi-pro league’s Ballon D’or award before skyrocketing back into the professional ranks.

The 23-year-old just signed a contract with Estonian top flight side Harju JK. The Laagri-based club kicks off its season in under a month against FC Nomme United, where Inter Toronto defender Alex Bergman arrived from, and finished seventh last year.

Binate’s first stint playing abroad comes after a full year spent outside of the professional ranks, with the Abidjan, Ivory Coast-born forward racking up seven goals in 15 appearances for AS Blainville following a trial spell with Sporting Kansas City II. He also helped AS Blainville win the Coupe L1QC, securing the side’s fourth-ever trophy in a 2-1 win over CS Saint-Laurent.

“I am very thankful for this opportunity and I can’t wait for the season to start,” says Binate. “We have a good group and I’m excited to see what we achieve.”

Binate’s last season in professional ranks came in his 2024 campaign with Valour, which was a busy year for the forward: amassing some 28 appearances under Phillip Dos Santos, he notched four goals and one assist for VFC in its penultimate season. That was a big increase from his two-year stint with Pacific beforehand, which saw an injury force him out of ’22 with his ’23 follow-up campaign resulting in just three substitute appearances.

Binate had also made four appearances for former League1 BC side Nauta’mawt FC during his spell with the Tridents, notching one goal against Unity FC – and, oddly enough, making that two now-defunct sides he has played for during his career.

Binate grew up in Quebec and was a highly-touted prospect during his days with the CF Montreal Academy, reaching the MLS side’s U-23 ranks before pursuing professional opportunities elsewhere.

It’s unclear if FC Supra du Quebec had targeted Binate, particularly with the side hoping to add more attacking options ahead of its inaugural season. Binate’s Ligue1 Quebec Ballon D’or saw him finish ahead of FC Supra goalkeeper Joakim Mili (third) and a likely Supra signing-to-come in Olivier Carrea (second).

Header Image Photo Credit: Canadian Premier League