Inter Toronto Football Club announced on Monday the signing of 16-year-old winger David Peraza to multi-year professional contract. He becomes the latest graduate of the Inter Toronto Pathway to earn a place in the First Team. The agreement guarantees Peraza through the 2029 Canadian Premier League season and includes club options for 2030 and 2031.
Born in Newmarket, Ontario and raised in Caledon, Peraza is a Canadian winger with Uruguayan and Croatian roots. A right-footed attacking player capable of operating on either flank or in midfield, he has impressed within Inter Toronto's development environment through his discipline, pace, technical ability and commitment to improvement.
Peraza joined Inter Toronto through the club's tryout process after returning to Canada from a formative football experience in Uruguay, where he spent six months immersed in the country's football culture. That experience, combined with his family's connection to the game, helped shape his development before arriving at Inter Toronto.
Since joining the club, Peraza has progressed through every stage of Inter Toronto's Pathway, consistently earning opportunities in increasingly competitive environments through his performances, attitude and work ethic. His development led to regular involvement with the First Team before earning his first professional contract.
As part of his first professional agreement, Peraza signed a Canadian Premier League Development Contract, allowing him to continue his progression within the club's professional environment while remaining a key part of Inter Toronto's long-term plans.
"David has shown a strong commitment to his development since arriving at the club," said Head Coach Mauro Eustáquio. "He is a young player with good qualities in wide areas, and what stands out is that he never shies away from key moments in the game. He has consistently shown quality in the final third, and now it's up to us as a club to continue sharpening his tools. His signing is another example of the opportunities our Pathway can create for young players who are willing to work every day and earn their place."
For Peraza, signing his first professional contract at just 16 years old represents the realization of a dream he has pursued since childhood.
"I've been working towards this for as long as I can remember, so finally getting here feels unreal," Peraza said. "Signing my first professional contract at 16 is something I dreamed about growing up, and it's a proud moment for me and my family because every sacrifice has been worth it."
Having progressed through every stage of the club's development system, Peraza believes his journey reflects the opportunities available through Inter Toronto's Pathway.
"I've been through every stage of the Inter Toronto Pathway, so earning this opportunity means a lot," Peraza said. "Looking back at how far I've come makes me proud, and it shows that if you stay committed, trust the process, and keep improving every day, opportunities will come."
Peraza also credits the club for believing in his potential as he begins his professional career.
"Knowing the club believes in me motivates me to keep improving every day and prove they made the right choice," Peraza said. "I'm proud that Inter Toronto gave me my first opportunity as a professional, and now it's up to me to make the most of it."
For Silviu Butnaru, Head Coach of Inter Toronto II, Peraza's signing represents more than an individual achievement.
"Watching David sign his first professional contract is a proud moment because it's the result of years of commitment and development," Butnaru said. "As coaches, there's nothing more rewarding than seeing a young player take this step after earning every opportunity along the way."
Butnaru believes Peraza's journey sends an important message to every young player currently working through the club's development system.
"David's journey shows exactly what the Inter Toronto Pathway is designed to do," Butnaru said. "It gives young players a real opportunity to reach the professional level, but only if they're willing to embrace the process, stay consistent and work for it every day."
Peraza becomes the latest graduate of Inter Toronto's Pathway to sign a professional contract with the club, reinforcing Inter Toronto's commitment to identifying, developing and providing meaningful professional opportunities for young players.