Former Canada under-20 captain Nikayla Small has signed with AFC Toronto, staying close to home in the new Northern Super League.

The 21-year-old midfielder from Pickering, Ont., arrives from Wake Forest University, where she appeared in 60 games, including 53 starts, with four goals and 15 assists. However an ankle injury sidelined her at the 2024 NCAA women's soccer tournament, where the Demon Deacons lost 1-0 to North Carolina in the championship game.

Small played for Pickering Soccer Club before joining the National Development Centre (NDC) Ontario. She has represented Canada at the under-15, U-17 and U-20 levels. While former Canada coach Bev Priestman called her into camp twice in late 2021, she has yet to earn a senior cap.

In other NSL news, Ottawa Rapid FC signed former Canadian youth international winger Stella Downing.

Small is the latest local player to sign with Toronto.

"Being from Toronto, Nikayla knows what this club represents for our supporters and the next generation of young players," said Wilson. "I have no doubt that she will have a huge influence at our club as we continue developing our project."

Small said pro soccer has always been her goal.

"But growing up, you never really saw anyone return to Canada to play soccer after university; everyone was always going overseas," she said. "Now, having a chance to be part of this project with AFC Toronto, I know there's nothing that can take away our part in history ... Walking out at our home stadium for the first time is going to be surreal and I can't wait to represent this city."

Downing split her collegiate soccer between Memphis, Mississippi and Creighton. The 22-year-old from Vancouver made her Canadian youth debut at 14 as a member of the under-17 team.

"Stella Downing is the epitome of a player who combines technical skill with incredible speed and a natural rhythm on the ball," Ottawa technical director Kristina Kiss said in a statement. "Her bravery on the pitch allows her to make bold, game-changing decisions, which will push the team forward in moments of pressure."

Downing made her debut in the Canadian youth program at the age of 14 in 2017 as a member of the U17 Canadian National Team. Her first international cap was a start against the USA in the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U17 Championship. She earned a bronze in the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U17 Championship. Downing is the second Memphis Tiger to sign with Ottawa, joining Miranda Smith who played there from 2014 to 2016.

Downing is an alumnus of the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX Program, where she played with Rapid teammate, Jazmine Wilkinson. She has ties to other Ottawa players, having roomed with Liv Scott while at an under-17 youth team camp and she played against Florence Belzile while she was with Creighton and Belzile was at Nebraska.