Klaidi Cela

Klaidi Cela (born July 16, 1999) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays for Toronto FC II in MLS Next Pro.

Klaidi Cela
Personal information
Full name Klaidi Cela
Date of birth (1999-07-16) July 16, 1999
Place of birth Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Toronto FC II
Youth career
Mississauga Falcons
2012–2016 Toronto FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015 Toronto FC II 1 (0)
2016 Toronto FC III 23 (0)
2016–2018 Gafanha
2018 Sigma FC 1 (0)
2019–2020 Forge FC 10 (1)
2021 Sigma FC 4 (1)
2021 → Forge FC (loan) 1 (0)
2021 Forge FC 4 (0)
2022– Toronto FC II 3 (0)
National team‡
2017 Canada U18 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of April 24, 2022
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of March 4, 2019

Club career

Early career

Cela began his career at the age of eight when playing for Mississauga Falcons SC.[1] In October 2012, he joined the Toronto FC Academy.[2]

Toronto FC II

On May 1, 2015, Cela signed with Toronto FC II, alongside Gabriel Boakye, Malik Johnson and Brogan Engbers.[3] He made a single appearance for the affiliate club during the 2015 USL season. Cela made his professional debut on the final day of the season, playing for 29 minutes in a 2–0 defeat to Rochester Rhinos.[4] He also appeared for Toronto FC III in both League1 Ontario[5] and the Premier Development League.[6]

Gafanha

In summer 2016, Cela signed with Campeonato de Portugal club Gafanha, where he would play for two seasons.[7]

Sigma FC

After leaving Gafanha, Cela returned to Canada and spent the remainder of the 2018 season with Sigma FC in League1 Ontario, making one league appearance and another three appearances in the playoffs.[8]

Forge FC

On April 3, 2019, Cela signed with Canadian Premier League side Forge FC.[7]

Sigma FC and Forge FC return

In 2021, he returned to Sigma FC of League1 Ontario.[9] In August 2021, it was announced that Forge had re-signed Cela on a short term deal.[10] Cela rejoined Forge for a single game in September, and was eventually signed in October by Forge for the remainder of the 2021 Canadian Premier League season.[11][12]

Toronto FC II

On March 31, 2022, Cela signed with MLS Next Pro side Toronto FC II.[2]

International career

Due to Cela's parents being born in Albania, he is eligible to represent both Canada and Albania.[1] Cela was chosen to be included in the Canada Under-15 camps in Vaughan and Costa Rica, as well as an Under-18 development camp. However, he is yet to make an international appearance for either nation.[1]

References
  1. "Kladi Cela Canada Soccer profile". Canadian Soccer Association.
  2. "Toronto FC II sign Stefan Karajovanovic and Klaidi Cela". Toronto FC. March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  3. "Academy athletes make the move". Toronto FC. May 1, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  4. @TorontoFCII (September 24, 2015). "Richie Ennin and Klaidi Cela make their TFCII and USL debut" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. "Kladi Cela L1O 2016 Stats". League1 Ontario.
  6. "Kladi Cela PDL 2016 Stats". USL League Two.
  7. Urciuoli, Anthony (April 3, 2019). "Forge FC adds Canadians Anthony Novak, Klaidi Cela to inaugural roster". Global.
  8. "Klaidi Cela L1O 2018 Stats". League1 Ontario. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  9. Jacques, John (August 1, 2021). "Canadian Premier League Athletes To Watch In League1 Ontario". Northern Tribune.
  10. Jacques, John (August 4, 2021). "Klaidi Cela Returns To Forge On Short-Term Deal". Northern Tribune.
  11. "Forge FC brings back Klaidi Cela for rest of 2021 season". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  12. Jacques, John. "Forge FC Adds Cela For Remainder Of Season". Northern Tribune. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
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