9 Canadian internationals who made big moves during the January transfer window

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The January transfer window slammed shut for most major European leagues on Monday, signalling the end of a chaotic couple of weeks of player movement across the continent.

Once again this year, multiple Canadian players made big moves, which could have significant impacts on both their club and international careers. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now less than 500 days away, and a new manager in place for the women’s national team, this is a critical time for players to move to clubs that are not only at a good level, but crucially will provide them with playing time.

Here are nine of the biggest moves involving Canadian players during the winter window:

Tajon Buchanan loaned to Villarreal

A year ago, Tajon Buchanan made the biggest move of his career, joining legendary Italian club Inter Milan during the January transfer window. Since then, things haven’t exactly gone to plan.

A decent start to life with I Nerazzurri, making ten appearances last season and scoring once, was derailed by a leg injury suffered training with Canada during the 2024 Copa América. As a result, Buchanan hasn’t really found form for club or country since, with just 89 minutes played between six appearances this campaign in Serie A.

In search of more minutes, multiple reports indicate that Buchanan pushed for a loan, despite Inter wanting to keep him around for the second half of the season as a depth option. With multiple clubs interested, he joined Villarreal in Spain on a loan deal with a fairly pricy option to buy.

Joining a club that currently sits fifth in La Liga, the main key now is to increase his minutes at a very good level. If he can impress, Villarreal could be a solid long-term option for the 25-year-old. Still one of the most talented players in the national team player pool, this is an important move and moment for the Brampton, Ont. baller.

Theo Corbeanu loaned to Toronto FC

When Theo Corbeanu inevitably steps onto the pitch for Toronto FC in an official match, it will be the eighth different club he has made an appearance for in the last five years. He has made stops throughout England, in Germany, Switzerland and most recently Spain.

Last January, he moved to Granada CF who were then in La Liga. The hope is that a loan back to Canada with Toronto FC can create some stability for the 22-year-old, who has an incredible amount of potential but needs to find a permanent home for it to be realized. A Toronto team desperate for his level of attacking flair could be just that, and with an option to buy included in his loan deal, it could be a chance for him to finally find a consistent club.

With seven caps for the senior national team, and two goals — including scoring his first international goal mere moments into his debut with Canada as a teenager — but none since 2022, he has work to do to get himself into Marsch’s plans. A strong run of form with Toronto FC could be the perfect way to get his promising career back on track.

Matteo de Brienne to GAIS

After three excellent campaigns in the Canadian Premier League, 22-year-old Ottawa native Matteo de Brienne earned a European move this window, joining Allsvenskan club Göteborgs Atlet- och Idrottssällskap (GAIS).

In total, between three seasons in the league, the first two of which were spent with Valour FC before a move to Atlético Ottawa this past season, he made 75 league appearances, scoring six goals and adding five assists. De Brienne won the league’s Best U-21 Canadian Player award following the 2023 CPL Season.

Capable of playing anywhere along the left flank, his versatility, tireless energy and confidence to attempt the spectacular set him apart. He joins GAIS after a strong season where they finished sixth in the Swedish top flight. If he can find ways to fight for minutes, this could be a huge next step for the talented player.

Jeneva Hernandez Gray to Sporting Lisbon

One of the most exciting young players in the Canadian women’s national team pool, Hernandez Gray announced in January a move to Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

Henandez Gray joins Lisbon from the Vancouver Whitecapes Girls Elite program, with whom she won two League1 Women’s Inter-Provincial Championships. She also started all four of their matches as Canada’s first-ever representative in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup.

The 18-year-old made her senior national team debut against South Korea in December, picking up an assist in a 5-1 victory. If she can get playing time in Lisbon, more call-ups are sure to follow under new head coach Casey Stoney.

Between players like Cloé Lacasse, Olivia Smith, Marie-Yasmine Alidou and Chandra Davidson, Portugal has been an excellent spot for Canadians in recent years. Like Smith and Lacasse, it has the potential to be the platform for a bigger move for Hernandez Gray should she perform to her potential.

Ismaël Koné to Rennes on loan

In the final hours of Europe’s deadline day, one of Canada’s brightest young stars secured a crucial move for his future.

Pay any attention to Koné’s parent club Marseille over the past few weeks, and it was clear that Koné wasn’t working out — manager Roberto De Zerbi made that abundantly clear. Frozen out of the squad after just nine appearances in all competitions, moving to a fresh environment became vital.

On Monday, it was confirmed that the 22-year-old is staying in France, moving on loan to Rennes — who also hold an option to buy. The French club has a solid history of developing and improving young talent, including the likes of Jérémy Doku, Eduardo Camavinga, Ousman Dembéle and Mathys Tel in recent years.

He joins Rennes at a tricky time, however, with the club just two points above the relegation zone following four losses in their past five matches. In a perfect world, the talented Canadian’s return to form will help Rennes to secure safety and potentially move back up the French table.

Clarissa Larisey to Crystal Palace

Following a pair of successful seasons in Sweden with BK Häcken, Larisey is off to England, signing with Crystal Palace in the FA WSL.

Crystal Palace currently sit bottom of the league, with only a single victory to their name, and clear issues in scoring goals. That’s something the 25-year-old Larisey should be able to provide after scoring 13 in 40 matches for BK Häcken over the past two campaigns.

Larisey has already made a pair of appearances off the bench already for the London club. She will be pushing for more starting minutes over the next few matches, especially with cup competition mixed in as well.

With just ten caps to her name so far, and one goal scored in a 4-0 victory over Morocco, Larisey is one of the players who could stand to benefit the most with a new manager at the national team helm. That is, if she can put in a good showing in one of the top leagues in the women’s game.

Victor Loturi to CF Montréal

After three seasons in Scotland, Victor Loturi is back in Canada after being transferred to CF Montréal in MLS.

The 23-year-old holding midfielder made 66 appearances for Ross County in the Scottish Premiership (85 in all competitions) over the past few years, scoring twice and adding three assists. Previous to that, Loturi spent multiple seasons in the Canadian Premier League with hometown Cavalry FC.

Former CPL players have had plenty of success in Montréal, with central defender Joel Waterman (Cavalry) and starting goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois (Valour) becoming important parts of the club in recent years.

A technically solid holding midfielder, Loturi will be a nice fit for a solid Montréal team, and will get a chance to learn under national team veteran Samuel Piette. With just one appearance himself with the Canadian national team, perhaps a move home and regular minutes in MLS will boost Loturi’s stock heading into 2026.