Canadian National Team midfielder Emma Regan and former Canadian Youth National Team defender Kaela Hansen.
Both players bring international experience, technical excellence, and a shared commitment to inspiring the next generation of Canadian soccer talent. These signings mark the sixth and seventh additions to AFC Toronto’s roster as the team builds toward its debut season in April 2025.
Emma Regan: A Leader On and Off the Field
Emma Regan, 24, joins AFC Toronto from Danish champions HB Køge, where she played a pivotal role in the team’s success, including 32 appearances, three goals, and a league title. Originally from Burnaby, British Columbia, Regan’s path to professional soccer is a testament to hard work and leadership.
Regan developed her skills in the Vancouver Whitecaps Girls Elite REX program, earning accolades such as the 2015 Vancouver Whitecaps Most Promising Player and BC Soccer Youth Player of the Year. She went on to captain the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns from 2020 to 2022, leading them to a 2022 Big 12 Championship.
On the international stage, Regan earned her first senior cap with the Canadian Women’s National Team in 2018 and has since accumulated four caps. Most recently, she started and played 90 minutes in Canada’s 5-1 victory over South Korea on December 3, 2024.
For Regan, returning to Canada to join AFC Toronto is a career-defining moment:
After playing abroad for years, the chance to return to my home country and compete in front of my family and friends means so much. Soccer has taken me to amazing places, but there’s nothing like representing Canada in a league we’ve long deserved. I’m proud to help build this legacy and contribute to the future of Canadian soccer.
Head Coach Marko Milanovic praised Regan’s addition:
Emma exemplifies the ambition, hunger and leadership we look for in a player. Her versatility in midfield and relentless drive to develop make her a perfect fit for our club’s vision.
Kaela Hansen: A Rising Star Returns Home
Kaela Hansen, 24, is another Burnaby native whose professional journey spans Europe and North America. A versatile defender, Hansen has represented Canada at the U17 and U20 levels, competing at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup and the Three-Nations Tournament in Australia.
Hansen’s professional career in Europe started in Serbia at ŽFK Spartak Subotica, winning both the Serbian Women's Super League and the League Cup. She later went on to play for KuPS in Finland where she contributed to the team’s success in earning a silver medal in the Kansallinen Liiga. While playing in Europe she competed in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification phases with both clubs during the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 seasons.
After developing in the Whitecaps FC Academy and Canada Soccer’s National EXCEL Program she went on to play with the University of Kansas. At the University of Kansas Jayhawks, Hansen set program records for games and minutes played while earning Defensive MVP honours. Her leadership and consistency helped the team achieve a #8 national defensive ranking, win the Big 12 Tournament, and advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16.
Hansen expressed her excitement about joining AFC Toronto:
Since the day I met with the club’s staff, they have been nothing but welcoming and supportive. Toronto is a whole new chapter for me, and it’s thrilling to be a part of what the club is building in this city.
Coach Milanovic shared his confidence in Hansen’s impact:
Kaela is a player on the rise. Her dedication, technical ability, and ambition align perfectly with AFC Toronto’s vision, making her a strong contributor to the success of the club.
Building a Legacy
With these signings, AFC Toronto demonstrates its commitment to bringing top-tier Canadian talent back to home soil while building a competitive and inspiring roster for the NSL. The club continues to make significant strides in preparing for its debut season, with more player announcements expected in the coming months.
Stay tuned for updates as AFC Toronto gears up to make history in Canadian soccer.
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