Canadians Emma Regan, Nichelle Prince join NWSL expansion teams in Denver, Boston

By Canadian Press on January 14, 2026.

Denver Summit FC, one of two expansion teams kicking off NWSL play this year, has confirmed the signing of Canadian midfielder Emma Regan.

AFC Toronto announced Tuesday that the 25-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., was leaving the Northern Super League club for the NWSL but did not specify which team.

Denver said Regan has signed a multi-year contract through the 2028 season with a mutual option for 2029.

“Emma is a versatile, intelligent midfielder with professional and international experience,” Denver GM Curt Johnson said in a statement. “Her leadership, composure, and competitive drive make her an ideal addition as we build our roster for our inaugural season. We’re thrilled to welcome her to Denver.:

Regan joins fellow Canadian international Janine Sonis in Denver.

Neither Denver nor Toronto detailed Regan’s transfer fee. But it is believed the fee is similar to the $466,060 (250,000 pounds) that the Portland Thorns reportedly paid to get Canada captain Jessie Fleming from England’s Chelsea in January 2024.

Forward Olivia Smith holds the Canadian women’s transfer record, moving to Arsenal from Liverpool in England’s Women’s Super League, for a then-world-record one million pounds ($1.86 million) last July.

Regan turned heads last year when she appeared in 11 of Canada’s 13 matches, becoming a fixture at defensive midfielder under Canada coach Casey Stoney. That brought her total of senior caps to 15.

In June, she scored her first senior goal for Canada in a 4-1 win over Costa Rica.

“Competing at the highest level and representing Canada has been a dream of mine, and I can’t wait to bring that experience to Summit FC,” said Regan.

At club level, Regan played every minute of every match (regular season and playoffs), captaining Toronto to first place in the regular-season standings and a place in the inaugural NSL championship game, where Toronto fell 2-1 to the Vancouver Rise.

Regan was named NSL Midfielder of the Year and made the league’s Team of the Season, as voted on by the players, as well as earning AFC Toronto Player of the Season honours.

Before joining Toronto, Regan spent two seasons in Denmark with HB Køge and was a four-year starter and captain at the University of Texas.

In other NWSL news, Canadian forward Nichelle Prince has joined the expansion Boston Legacy in a trade from the Kansas City Current. Boston, which also received a 2026 international roster spot, sent US$125,000 in allocation funds and US$50,000 in intra-league transfer funds to Kansas City.

The 30-year-old from Ajax, Ont., who has 17 goals in 113 appearances for Canada, spent the last two seasons with Kansas City after seven seasons with the Houston Dash.

“Nichelle is a proven NWSL player who brings real quality and experience to our group. She’s competed at the highest level and knows what it takes to win, both in this league and internationally with Canada,” Legacy GM Domè Guasch said in a statement. “She adds pace, intelligence, and versatility, and we believe her profile fits exactly what we want to build in Boston.

“Just as important, Nichelle is a strong presence off the field, someone who will raise standards and help drive our culture from Day 1 and into the future

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2026.

The Canadian Press