Canada Soccer Unveils Young Players of the Year: De Fougerollles and Chisholm

Key Takeaways

Luc De Fougerolles and Olivia Chisholm have been named Canada Soccer’s 2025 Young Players of the Year.
The award covers players born in 2005 or later, with the winners chosen by Canadian youth team programs.
De Fougerolles played an important role for the Canadian senior men in 2025, appearing in nine games, including seven starts.
Chisholm excelled with both the Canadian under-17 and under-20 programs, helping Canada qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Introduction to the Award Winners
The Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year award is a prestigious honor that recognizes the outstanding achievements of young Canadian soccer players. This year, Luc De Fougerolles and Olivia Chisholm have been named the 2025 Young Players of the Year. The award covers players born in 2005 or later, with the winners chosen by Canadian youth team programs. De Fougerolles and Chisholm have both had an impressive year, with De Fougerolles playing an important role for the Canadian senior men and Chisholm excelling with both the Canadian under-17 and under-20 programs.

Luc De Fougerolles’ Achievements
De Fougerolles, a 20-year-old defender, played a crucial role for the Canadian senior men in 2025. With star defender Moise Bombito sidelined by injury, De Fougerolles 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. Canadian assistant coach Mauro Biello praised De Fougerolles, saying, "Luc is a player we had been tracking closely for a long time and his rise has been incredible. Even at such a young age, it was clear he possessed the maturity, composure, and football intelligence to play at the highest level."

Olivia Chisholm’s Achievements
Chisholm, a 17-year-old midfielder, had an exceptional year with both the Canadian under-17 and under-20 programs. She helped Canada make it through CONCACAF qualifying in April with a pair of goals, booking 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. Chisholm 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. Canada under-17 coach Jen Herst praised Chisholm, saying, "Olivia has had an exceptional year for our program. 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."

Past Winners of the Award
The Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year award has been presented to several talented young players in the past. Previous winners include Nathan Saliba and Olivia Smith in 2024, Ismaël Koné and Jade Rose in 2023, and Ismaël Koné and Simi Awujo in 2022. The award recognizes the achievements of young Canadian soccer players and provides a platform for them to showcase their skills and talent. The winners of the award are chosen by Canadian youth team programs, and the selection process takes into account the players’ performances at both the club and international levels.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Luc De Fougerolles and Olivia Chisholm are well-deserved winners of the 2025 Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year award. Their impressive performances at both the club and international levels have earned them recognition as two of the most talented young soccer players in Canada. As they continue to develop and grow as players, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for them and how they will contribute to the success of Canadian soccer. With their talent, dedication, and hard work, De Fougerolles and Chisholm are sure to make a lasting impact on the sport and inspire future generations of young Canadian soccer players.