The 2026 summer transfer window was a busy one for Canadians. Just about every one of our national team stars changed clubs – many earning exciting moves to take their careers in new directions.
It’s only September, but it’s gone better than expected for most. Here is how our biggest stars have fared at their new clubs.
JONATHAN DAVID
Embed from Getty ImagesTransfer sagas surrounding Jonathan David went on for longer than anyone expected, with the Canadian forward sticking it out at LOSC Lille for five years despite his overwhelming success. The 2025-26 season was David’s first outside of Lille since becoming a regular for the national team, operating along the front-line for Juventus in Serie A.
Embed from Getty Images47 games later, David had only scored 8 goals, and was open to pastures new. It was Atletico Madrid that swooped in for his signature, and the Canadian forward has been on fire ever since.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe’s now notched 3 goals in 4 appearances for Los Rojiblancos, including the game-winner in the Madrid derby last weekend against Real Madrid. David’s accomplished a lot in his career so far, but scoring against a club as historic as Real would have been a career highlight.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe early signs of how this might go are incredibly encouraging. David has that Atletico fighting spirit in him, having led the front-line of Canada’s physical attack for years now. With Alexander Sorloth injured and Julian Alvarez out of favour with his summer shenanigans, David now has free-reign for a run of games to solidify himself as an Atleti star.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe’s been paired up with Alex Baena and Kang-In Lee, giving him plenty of creativity to float around within their 3-4-2-1. The formation suits David well, who operates most of the time like a ‘false 9′ or even like a ’10’ – dropping in deep and urging others to sprint inside. He’s a forward that requires good service into the penalty area to thrive off, but also excels when given freedom to get involved outside of the penalty area.
He’s not the most prolific, bull-fighting, awe-inspiring centre-forward, but he will get his team goals. That’s a guarantee. He’s great at positioning himself in between the gaps of a defense, reacting to loose balls and rebounds, and finishing chances.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis movement around Real Madrid’s defense at the weekend was emblematic of exactly the role he can play.
His goal in particular showcased a wonderful piece of movement and awareness.
As the ball shifts wide to Simeone, David scans the field to his right, looking for the open space to exploit with his movement. He sees the gap in between Real Madrid’s defenders, and immediately takes up that space.
Nobody can track him, because the ball is played down the line in the blink of an eye. With that split second movement he made in securing himself space in between the two defenders, suddenly David is through on goal, ready to burst into the box.
A solid dribbler and smart creator, the Canadian striker offers Atletico more than just goals. He’ll be a great asset for them in the creation of chances and the running power of those next to him. He won’t need to be the hero every match. He’s happy to play the role of the provider.
We might typically think of Atletico strikers in the Diego Costa mold – physical, brutal, aggressive. But Jonathan David has been a great fit for Simeone’s style so far, despite being more of a ball-savvy striker than a physical specimen. 3 goals in 4 matches is a great start for the Canadian, already on the way toward beating his goal tally from last campaign.
NATHAN SALIBA
Embed from Getty ImagesJonathan David isn’t the only one to secure a move to Spain. Nathan Saliba featured prominently at this summer’s World Cup for Canada, especially after the horror injury to Ismael Kone in midfield. It was only natural that he would catch the eye of a European giant, where he’s now playing alongside his national teammates Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi at Villarreal.
Nathan Saliba’s mobility and energy just work so well in that midfield. He’s great at playing passes around the pitch, particularly in switching the play.
He’s completed 91% of his total passes and a fantastic 78% of his long passing attempts thus far.
But he’s also a mobile, energetic force in defensive phases. He’s solid in the tackle, an active presser, and exudes the right level of aggression. The 22-year-old understands how to come across into the wide areas to support his full-backs, and times his challenges well.
He’s won 60% of his total duels this season, and completed 4.4 tackles + interceptions per 90 so far.
After winning challenges, Saliba immediately looks forward to see what can happen next. He likes to win his challenges against the momentum of the opposition, where he can then set himself free for a counter-attack.
From there, he can carry the ball away or make that next forward pass.
Having Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi to support him provides that immediate sense of comfort. He can slot in right away and play his best football, which is what we’ve started to see in the past few matches. All things considered, this is a very promising move for a player that could be a massive part of Canada’s midfield across the next decade.
STEPHEN EUSTAQUIO
Embed from Getty ImagesStephen Eustaquio had a wonderful time at the 2026 World Cup, even scoring the game-winning goal against South Africa.
So after a year in MLS with LAFC, Swansea swooped in for his signature. This has been a match made in heaven. Swansea want to keep the ball and play nice, intricate passes. This is exactly Eustaquio’s game. He’s a smooth operator in midfield, capable of playing as that clear ‘deep-lying’ ‘6’, or as the one pushing box-to-box as an ‘8’. The Swans have used him as both already, with Marko Stamenić usually the clearly defined ‘6’ in the team.
The Canadian midfielder has started 4 of their 6 matches, contributing to 2 goals as they currently sit top of the table in the Championship.
Like Saliba, he’s great at switching the play and picking out passes from deep. Eustaquio loves to go long, and might just need to reign that in to make sure he’s selecting his moments wisely.
But even if he can be hasty going forward, it’s a major asset to the Swans. He can unlock games with his passing and shooting range, and stays cool as a cucumber under pressure. This is perfect for Swansea’s desire to play out from the back and work the ball through the thirds, working up to the moment where they can play that killer Eustaquio pass.
Operating to the left of that midfield three, the Canadian has completed nearly 60% of his long passes so far this season, creating 1.6 chances per 90.
He’s disciplined, hard-working, and comes with so much experience at the top level at this stage in his career. A proven match winner, this could be a move that helps Swansea secure a dream season back to the top flight.
It hasn’t been a dream start for everyone. Some, like Promise David, haven’t seen much game-time for their new teams. But for these three, they’ve secured summer moves that could help them to launch a next phase in their career, and start to fulfill their ultimate dreams.
Thanks for reading and see you soon!
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