Canadian content focus leads to first Generation adidas Canada MLS signings

On the heels of the 30 November youth development initiatives announcement in collaboration with Major League Soccer, Canada Soccer congratulates the first-ever Generation adidas Canada signings, Men’s EXCEL Program players Shamit Shome and Adonijah Reid.

The focus on Canadian content has been a priority for Canada Soccer’s technical department who identified the two players for MLS ahead of the 2017 SuperDraft.

Alberta native Shome, 19, made his professional debut with his hometown FC Edmonton and played a key role with the Canada U-20 national team in recent international youth friendlies in 2016.

Reid, a native of Brampton, ON, has been a part of the Canadian youth national team pool since making his international debut as a 14-year-old in 2014.

“Canada’s place as a leading soccer nation continues to evolve with these Generation adidas Canada signings by Major League Soccer,” said Canada Soccer President Victor Montagliani, “Placing young Canadian players in professional development environments is a priority of our technical department and the Generation adidas designation for these young players is only the beginning of a new world of opportunities for young Canadian players.”

Following through on the expansion of the Generation adidas program to Canada, MLS announced the player signings ahead of the MLS Player Combine and MLS SuperDraft scheduled for 13 Jan.

As signed Generation adidas Canada players, Shome and Reid will be made available to all MLS clubs via the draft. In addition, Ajax, ON native and University of Vermont senior Brian Wright has signed with the league ahead of the SuperDraft. Wright is a 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy finalist as NCAA Division 1 player of the year.

Mirroring the existing Generation adidas program, the Generation adidas Canada program is a collaboration between Canada Soccer and MLS to identify top domestic talent in Canada and sign these players to Generation adidas contracts. Generation adidas players do not count against an MLS team’s salary budget.

Canada Soccer’s Men’s EXCEL Program channels Canada’s exceptional players into the best soccer environments. The Canada Soccer Pathway works in collaboration with provincial and territory partners as well as the professional clubs and academies. For Canada’s elite players, the program emphasizes player development on the pathway to representing Canada’s Men’s National Team in international soccer.