After months of waiting, the Canadian Premier League finally announced their first professional signings on Thursday.



Ten players became the CPL’s first: Nik Ledgerwood and Sergio Camargo (Cavalry FC), Skylar Thomas (Valour FC), Randy Edwini-Bonsu and Allan Zebie (FC Edmonton), Zachary Sukunda (HFX Wanderers), Kyle Bekker and Chris Nanco (Forge FC), Kadin Chung (Pacific FC) and Kyle Porter (York 9 FC).



The players all took different paths to arrive at the CPL. Many carry years of experience in European leagues, and many are entering the prime of their careers, which begs the question: Why sign with a league that has no history whatsoever?



The Athletic posed this question to all of the league’s new signings. What was revealed was not just the types of players, but a blueprint for the kinds of people CPL coaches should pursue as the league continues to develop.



Using the league as a stepping stone



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