By The Canadian Press

Teenage midfielder Olivia Chisholm signs first professional deal with AFC Toronto

Jan 20, 2026 | 2:30 PM

TORONTO — AFC Toronto, which signed Olivia Chisholm to a youth development contract in August, has rewarded the 2025 Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year with her first professional contract.

The 17-year-old midfielder from Toronto became the youngest player in club history when she took the field on Aug. 30 against Calgary before making her first Northern Super League start Oct. 4, also against the Wild.

“Olivia is one of the brightest young talents in Canada,” Toronto sporting director Billy Wilson said in a statement.

“Olivia has been with us since last summer, we know her extremely well and we’re proud that she has chosen to begin her professional career at home with AFC Toronto,” he added.

Unpaid youth development contracts are designed to provide young players (between 16 and 18) with limited first-team exposure in the NSL while protecting amateur and NCAA eligibility. Eligible players are allowed to appear in up to four matches per permit, with a maximum of two permits per player.

Question of the Week

With B.C. moving to end the time change, do you prefer permanent Daylight Savings Time, permanent Standard Time, or the status quo?

2h ago

1000 WAYS TO HEAL

1000 WAYS TO HEAL: What are we doing with the land in Kamloops?

4h ago

LOOPED IN

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: March 2, 2026

4h ago

Chisholm, who will combine soccer and her schooling in Toronto, was involved with both the Canadian under-17 and under-20 teams in 2025. She led Canada in scoring with two goals at the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers in April, helping Canada qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

She then helped Canada win the CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship, dispatching the U.S. in the semifinals and Mexico, after extra time, in the final to book a place at 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, starting every match and recording a goal and an assist as Canada reached the quarterfinals.

—

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 20, 2026

The Canadian Press