By Canadian Press

Teenage winger Theo Corbeanu makes Canada soccer history with Wolves debut

May 16, 2021 | 11:26 AM

LONDON — Theo Corbeanu became the youngest Canadian to feature in England’s Premier League when he came off the bench in Wolves’ 2-0 loss Sunday at Tottenham.

Corbeanu, a winger from Hamilton, Ont., who turns 19 on Monday, replaced Wolves forward Fabio Silva in the 82nd minute at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Junior Hoilett, at 19 years two months, had been the youngest Canadian in the Premier League, according to Canada Soccer. Terry Dunfield and David Edgar were also 19 when they made their debut in the English top tier.

In March, Corbeanu scored off the bench in his debut for Canada in a 5-1 win over Bermuda in World Cup qualifying play. Corbeanu replaced Hoilett in the 77th minute and opened his Canadian account four minutes later, finishing off a feed from Liam Millar.

He earned a second cap in Canada’s subsequent 11-0 romp over the Cayman Islands.

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Corbeanu had been playing primarily for Wolves under-23 side. While manager Nuno Espirito Santo has had him dress for the Premier League squad’s first team in both league and cup action, he wasn’t called upon until Sunday.

Both his parents were born in Romania, coming to Canada in 1999 with his older brother.

Corbeanu has represented Romania at the youth level, scoring in his debut for its under-16 side against Ireland. He subsequently switched his international allegiance to Canada.

Growing up, Corbeanu played for the Mount Hamilton Youth Soccer Club, Hamilton Sparta and Saltfleet Soccer Club.

Corbeanu spent two years with the Toronto FC academy, joining in late 2016 when he was 14 after spending time earlier in its pre-academy camps.

In the summer of 2018, his agent set up a trial at Leicester City, which went well and drew the attention of Wolves. He visited the club and liked what he saw.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2021.

The Canadian Press