Toronto, ON – Inter Toronto Football Club's commitment to developing the next generation of Canadian talent reached another milestone as Chimaobim Onyeocha became the youngest player to appear for the club in a Canadian Premier League match.
Onyeocha made his professional debut on June 4, 2026, at just 16 years and 30 days old, setting a new club record. He surpassed Shola Jimoh, who previously held the mark after making his CPL debut at 16 years and 62 days old on June 9, 2024.
The achievement is another reflection of Inter Toronto's commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for young players through its player development pathway. Onyeocha progressed through the club's Pathway Academy before earning his first professional Development Contract earlier this season, with his performances and continued growth leading to opportunities in the First Team environment.
In addition to becoming the youngest player to represent Inter Toronto in a Canadian Premier League match, Onyeocha now ranks as the second-youngest player in league history to appear in a CPL match. Only former Vancouver FC midfielder TJ Tahid made his debut at a younger age, appearing at 16 years and 16 days old in May 2023.
"For me, this is just the beginning of a long journey. Making my professional debut was a surreal experience, and I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to represent Inter Toronto for the first time," said Onyeocha.
Since joining Inter Toronto, Onyeocha has consistently demonstrated the qualities that have defined his progression through the club's development system. His debut marks another important step in his journey while reinforcing the club's philosophy of identifying, developing, and promoting young Canadian talent.
As Inter Toronto continues to invest in its player pathway, Onyeocha's record-setting debut stands as another example of the opportunities available for academy players to reach the professional level and contribute within the Canadian Premier League.