Bio: A three-time CPL champion, Grant brings substantial experience and a winning mentality to the York United squad. An imposing defender who has traditionally played as a right-back but who can easily drop into the heart of defence if needed, Grant joins from local rivals Forge FC where he enjoyed plenty of success across four seasons. Along with the abundance of CPL minutes he brings to the table, Grant also spent time in the United Soccer League (USL) with Sporting Kansas City II and FC Montreal respectively.

Favourite TV show right now: Game Of Thrones.

Most played song on Spotify: North Carolina by Valiant.

Earliest soccer memory: Playing indoor soccer for Wexford in basketball shoes with the felt neon match ball.

Favourite player, past or present: Neymar.

Ambitions for 2023: I want to be the difference.

8 ELIJAH ADEKUGBE

Age: 26

Hometown: Born London, UK & raised Calgary, AB.

Previous clubs: Cavalry FC,

York United appearances: 0

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Overall professional appearances: 55

Bio: This is the midfielder's first campaign with The Nine Stripes, having signed a two-year deal back in December. Adekugbe spent four seasons in Calgary with Cavalry FC and made 50 appearances in the Canadian Premier League, adding five more in the Canadian Championship. In total, he racked up over 3,500 minutes of action, scored three goals and added five assists. Born in London and with his early years spent in Manchester, England, Adekugbe moved to Canada with his family when he was eight and his formative soccer education was developed while playing underage with Calgary Foothills. He later joined the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy before returning to the Foothills for their inaugural season in the Premier Development League (PDL). In 2018, he was an instrumental part of a side that finished the season as champions. At the end of that year, he was signed by Cavalry FC ahead of what proved an impressive debut CPL campaign that saw them finish as Fall season champions before losing narrowly to Forge FC in the championship decider.

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