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The Canadian Premier League is giving local professional soccer players a chance to come home again.

And although Randy Edwini-Bonsu enjoyed his time in Europe, the Ghanaian-born, Edmonton-raised professional is delighted for the opportunity to play at home.

Edwini-Bonsu, along with Allan Zebie, was one of the first two players signed by FC Edmonton for the upcoming CPL season.

“I was watching from afar to see how the CPL would come together,” Edwini-Bonsu said. “I didn’t know what to expect or what the plan was, but when I was able to get the information on the league, I felt it was the right thing for me and the right thing for soccer in Canada.”

Edwini-Bonsu grew up dreaming of playing professional soccer, but outside of the three MLS teams in the country, there were not a lot of options.

“Every kid now, they don’t have to dream about going to Europe now we have the CPL here,” he said. “As the years go on, it’s going to get better and better and the kids are going to be watching every week now and dreaming at playing at home instead of dreaming of going to Europe now to make that dream come true.”

The former Vancouver Whitecaps striker is looking forward to being a role model to the next generation of Canadian players.

“Europe is nice, but my family didn’t get to see me that much,” Edwini-Bonsu said. “I’m home now and get to play here and it’s a special feeling that’s tough to describe, and I’m excited to get started.”

Email: dvandiest@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @DerekVanDiest