Samake Sticks With Pacific

As we have long-reported, Abdou Samake isn’t going anywhere.

The 25-year-old defender will be returning for a third season at Starlight Stadium after a breakout second campaign in 2021 that saw him feature in 28 matches across all competitions.

Born in Mali but raised on Ottawa, the centre-back had a quiet rookie season at The Island Games as a depth option before taking on a much bigger role last season. He enjoyed fourteen consecutive starts this year, forming a solid partnership with Lukas MacNaughton whilst Thomas Meilleur-Giguere was out injured.

While he missed the 2021 CPL Final due to an injury picked up in the club’s semi-final win over Cavalry, it’s no secret that the centre-back is a talent on the rise, and Pacific did well to keep him.

Prior to signing with Pacific in 2020, Samake had progressed through the CF Montreal academy system and had enjoyed a sharp-looking collegiate career with the University of Michigan.

The spine of the Trident backline is looking solid, with returning defenders Abdou Samake and Thomas Meilleur-Giguere also seeing Amer Didic added into the mix.

Behind them well be Callum Irving and Emil Gazdov, with the flanks still to be determined: Kunle Dada-Luke is back, though Kadin Chung remains on trial with Toronto FC.

It is unclear of Samake’s contract with the side includes options beyond the 2022 CPL season.