For every player that ever dreamed of Europe.
The future of Canadian football is changing, and players like Tajon and Tani are reshaping what young Canadians can dream of. They’ve shown the world that our talent belongs on the biggest stages. Their inspiration starts the story, but the opportunity to write the next chapter belongs to you.
Villarreal Academy touches down in Toronto
Villarreal Academy touches down in Toronto
Villarreal CF kicks off 2026 with Official Collaboration with TOCA Pro FC
Villarreal CF kicks off 2026 by announcing an official collaboration with TOCA Pro FC, continuing the club’s international expansion through the Villarreal Academy project. This partnership represents Villarreal CF’s fifth official affiliate in Canada and its first in the city of Toronto, strengthening the club’s footprint in one of the country’s most important soccer markets and across the province of Ontario.
As an official Villarreal CF affiliate, TOCA Pro FC will provide players and coaches with direct access to one of Europe’s most respected youth development models. The collaboration creates a clear, elite pathway that includes Villarreal’s training methodology, international tournaments, training camps in Spain, and ongoing technical evaluations led by Villarreal CF staff. Together, the two clubs aim to bridge local Canadian development with high-performance European standards.
The partnership also carries a strong personal connection. TOCA Pro FC Academy Director David Velastegui previously played alongside current Villarreal CF first-team player Tajon Buchanan within the Canadian youth national team setup and in League1 Ontario. “This partnership connects Canadian players to one of the best youth academies in the world,” said Velastegui. “By combining Villarreal’s proven methodology with TOCA Pro’s local training culture, we are creating an elite pathway that did not previously exist in Canada. It’s about opening doors, whether through training in Spain, international competition, or direct exposure to Villarreal’s technical staff.”
Velastegui added that the timing of the partnership reflects the growing momentum of Canadian soccer. Through the affiliation, TOCA Pro FC will deliver elite training locally while providing select players with opportunities to travel to Spain. The program will also include scholarships for deserving athletes and coach exchanges, with Villarreal CF coaches visiting Canada to work directly with TOCA Pro staff, further strengthening the shared development framework.
Velastegui added that the timing of the partnership reflects the growing momentum of Canadian soccer. Through the affiliation, TOCA Pro FC will deliver elite training locally while providing select players with opportunities to travel to Spain. The program will also include scholarships for deserving athletes and coach exchanges, with Villarreal CF coaches visiting Canada to work directly with TOCA Pro staff, further strengthening the shared development framework.
The collaboration has been welcomed at the provincial level as well. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, congratulated TOCA Pro FC and Villarreal CF on the agreement, noting that the partnership brings world-class opportunities to young athletes in the province and supports the continued growth of soccer across Ontario.
From Villarreal CF’s perspective, the partnership reinforces its commitment to long-term global development. Brandon Páramo, International Business Manager at Villarreal CF, highlighted the importance of Toronto and Ontario within the club’s Canadian strategy, emphasizing that the collaboration will allow players and coaches to grow within Villarreal CF’s values, methodology, and culture while strengthening the club’s international network.
Together, Villarreal CF and TOCA Pro FC aim to set a new benchmark for elite youth development in Canada—one that inspires the next generation of players to believe that pathways to the highest levels of the global game are both real and attainable.
