De Fougerollles, Chisholm named Canada Soccer Young Players of the Year

By Canadian Press on December 17, 2025.

Luc De Fougerolles and Olivia Chisholm have been named Canada Soccer’s 2025 Young Players of the Year.

This year’s award covers players born in 2005 or later with the winners chosen by Canadian youth team programs.

With star defender Moise Bombito sidelined by injury, the 20-year-old De Fougerolles played an important role for the Canadian senior men in 2025.

He appeared in nine games, including seven starts. He logged 230 minutes across four matches at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, helping Canada record clean sheets against Honduras and El Salvador. ​

At club level, De Fougerolles was a regular starter for Fulham’s under-21 side in Premier League 2 play and signed a new four-year contract with the London club after the Gold Cup. He was then loaned out to FCV Dender EH in the Belgian top-flight where he became a starter, making 15 appearances across all competitions.

“Luc is a player we had been tracking closely for a long time and his rise has been incredible,” Canadian assistant coach Mauro Biello said in a statement. “Even at such a young age, it was clear he possessed the maturity, composure and football intelligence to play at the highest level.”

Chisholm excelled with both the Canadian under-17 and under-20 programs. The 17-year-old midfielder helped Canada make it through CONCACAF qualifying in April with a pair of goals to book its ticket to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

In June, she started five matches and logged more than 400 minutes as Canada defeated Mexico after extra time to win the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship, qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

She closed out the year by captaining Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in October and November, leading the young Canadians to the quarterfinals.

Chisholm, then 16, signed a youth development contract with AFC Toronto of the Northern Super League on Aug. 20, making her pro debut that day at home against Calgary to become the youngest player to take the field for Toronto.

“Olivia has had an exceptional year for our program,” said Canada under-17 coach Jen Herst. “While this recognition is fully deserved for her performances on the field, what truly stands out is the standard she sets off the field and the way she leads her teammates.

“Her work ethic, tactical intelligence, and physical ability elevate everyone around her, and her accomplishments this year highlight the very bright future she has in Canadian soccer.”

Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year Winners

2025: Luc De Fougerolles, Olivia Chisholm.

2024: Nathan Saliba, Olivia Smith.

2023: Ismaël Koné, Jade Rose.

2022: Ismaël Koné, Simi Awujo.

2021: Theo Corbeanu,Jade Rose.

2020: Tajon Buchanan, Jade Rose.

2019: Jayden Nelson, Olivia Smith.

2018: Derek Cornelius, Jordyn Huitema.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2025.

The Canadian Press