The Canadian Premier League today announced that the 2024 CPL-U SPORTS Draft presented by Degree will be held on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. The draft will air on OneSoccer and the OS YouTube channel.
The CPL-U SPORTS Draft will once again consist of two rounds, with eight picks per round. The selection order of both rounds is based on a combination of the 2023 regular season standings and playoff results, with the last-placed team selecting first.
The draft order for both rounds is as follows:
- Valour FC
- Vancouver FC
- Atlético Ottawa
- York United FC
- Halifax Wanderers FC
- Pacific FC
- Cavalry FC
- Forge FC
Once selected, players may be invited to pre-season training with their prospective club, where they can compete for a roster spot for the 2024 CPL season.
“As the official deodorant of the Canadian Premier League, Degree is proud to support the Canadian Premier League-U SPORTS Draft,” said Rishabh Gandhi, Head of Personal Care, Degree. “We know these student athletes are committed to pushing beyond their limits on and off the pitch and have had to overcome personal challenges to make it to the draft. Degree is all about inspiring confidence in everyone to move more and we are looking forward to watching these players keep pushing to play at the next level.”
The draft is open to any U SPORTS underclassmen with one to four years of U SPORTS eligibility remaining, provided they are in good standing with their school’s athletic program and educational institution and are planning to return to school the following year.
Broadcast details for the 2024 CPL-U SPORTS draft will be announced in December.
The CPL-U SPORTS Draft plays a key role in the men’s player development pathway in Canada, serving as a critical link between the Canada university and professional games since its inaugural iteration in 2018. The draft provides a unique opportunity for student athletes to earn professional experience while maintaining their eligibility to return to U SPORTS competition.
Previous CPL-U SPORTS Draft picks include former Cavalry FC defender Joel Waterman, who was named to Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, as well as former Cavalry FC midfielder Victor Loturi, who is now representing Ross County in the Scottish Premiership; Eryk Kobza, a member of the CPL’s reigning regular season-winning squad Cavalry FC; and Aboubacar Sissoko, a member of the reigning CPL champion Forge FC squad.
