Denver Summit FC, one of the new teams starting in the National Women’s Soccer League this season, has officially announced the acquisition of Canadian midfielder Emma Regan.
AFC Toronto disclosed on Tuesday that the 25-year-old player from Burnaby, B.C., would be departing from the Northern Super League club to join the NWSL, without specifying the exact team.
Denver revealed that Regan has inked a multi-year contract that extends through the 2028 season, with a mutual option for 2029.
Curt Johnson, the General Manager of Denver, praised Regan, stating, “Emma is a versatile and astute midfielder with a wealth of professional and international experience. Her leadership qualities, calm demeanor, and competitive spirit make her an excellent addition as we shape our squad for the upcoming season. We are delighted to have her on board in Denver.”
Regan will be joining forces with Canadian compatriot Janine Sonis in Denver.
While the transfer fee for Regan was not explicitly disclosed by Denver or Toronto, it is speculated to be in the vicinity of the reported $466,060 US (250,000 pounds) that the Portland Thorns paid to secure the services of Canada’s captain, Jessie Fleming, from Chelsea in January 2024.
Last July, forward Olivia Smith set the Canadian women’s transfer record by moving from Liverpool to Arsenal in the English Women’s Super League for a then-world-record one million pounds ($1.87 million).
Expressing her sentiments on the move, Regan said, “It’s a mix of emotions for me. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at AFC Toronto and in Toronto overall. It was indeed a significant year for both me and the club.”
She added, “I was appreciative of being part of our inaugural season in the Northern Super League. I believe that experience will be unforgettable for us as Canadian soccer players. However, I am eagerly looking forward to the next phase.”
AFC Toronto’s Sporting Director, Billy Wilson, viewed Regan’s transfer as a positive development for the player, the club, and the NSL. He remarked, “It presents a great opportunity for someone like Emma. We take pride in contributing to her journey.”
Regan caught attention last year with her appearances in 11 out of Canada’s 13 matches, establishing herself as a key figure at defensive midfielder under the guidance of Canada’s coach, Casey Stoney. This boosted her senior caps to a total of 15, and in June, she notched her first senior goal for Canada in a 4-1 victory over Costa Rica.
Regarding her club performances, Regan featured in every minute of every match, including regular season and playoffs, leading Toronto to the top spot in the regular-season standings and a spot in the inaugural NSL championship game, where Toronto suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Vancouver Rise.
Regan was recognized as the NSL midfielder of the year, making it into the league’s team of the season as voted by players, and also clinching the AFC Toronto Player of the Season accolade.
Marko Milanovic, the Head Coach of Toronto, emphasized Regan’s significant contribution to the club, stating, “Emma’s impact on this club cannot be overstated. Her professionalism, consistency, and leadership set the tone for everything we built this year. She set high standards from the outset and was the driving force in our midfield. We are immensely proud of her and grateful for her dedication to this club.”
Before her stint with Toronto, Regan spent two seasons in Denmark with HB Koge, alongside fellow Canadian Samantha Chang, who Toronto recently signed as a free agent from the Vancouver Rise.
In a separate NWSL development, Canadian forward Nichelle Prince has joined the new team, Boston Legacy, in a trade from the Kansas City Current. Boston received Prince and a 2026 international roster spot, sending $125,000 US in allocation funds and $50,000 in intra-league transfer funds to Kansas City.
Prince, a 30-year-old player from Ajax, Ont., with 17 goals in 113 appearances for Canada, spent the last two seasons with Kansas City following seven seasons with the Houston Dash.
Dome Guasch, the General Manager of Boston Legacy, expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition of Prince, highlighting her qualities and experience. He mentioned, “Nichelle is a proven NWSL player who brings real quality and experience to our group. She’s competed at the highest level and knows what it takes to win, both in this league and internationally with Canada. She adds pace, intelligence, and versatility, aligning perfectly with our vision for Boston. Equally important, Nichelle’s off-field presence will elevate our standards and contribute to our culture from the outset and in the future.”