Denver Summit FC, one of the two teams entering the National Women’s Soccer League this season, has officially announced the acquisition of Canadian midfielder Emma Regan.
AFC Toronto revealed on Tuesday that the 25-year-old from Burnaby, British Columbia, is departing from the Northern Super League team to join the NWSL, although they did not disclose the specific team.
Denver stated that Regan has signed a multi-year agreement that extends through the 2028 season, with an option for 2029.
“Emma is a smart, adaptable midfielder with both professional and international experience,” said Denver GM Curt Johnson in a statement. “Her leadership qualities, calmness under pressure, and competitive spirit make her a perfect fit as we assemble our team for our first season. We are excited to welcome her to Denver.”
Regan will team up with fellow Canadian international Janine Sonis in Denver.
Details regarding Regan’s transfer fee were not disclosed by either Denver or Toronto. However, it is believed that the fee is comparable to the $466,060 USD (250,000 pounds) that the Portland Thorns reportedly paid to acquire Canada captain Jessie Fleming from Chelsea in England in January 2024.
Forward Olivia Smith holds the record for the highest transfer fee for a Canadian woman, having moved from Liverpool to Arsenal in the Women’s Super League for a then-world-record fee of one million pounds ($1.87 million) last July.
“It’s definitely a little bittersweet,” Regan remarked about her transition. “I had a great time at AFC Toronto and in Toronto overall. It’s a significant year for both me and the club.”
“I was truly thankful to be part of our inaugural season [in the Northern Super League]. That experience will always be memorable for us as Canadian soccer players. But I am really looking forward to this new chapter.”
‘A great opportunity’
AFC Toronto’s sporting director Billy Wilson believes this move is beneficial for Regan, the club, and the NSL.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for someone like Emma,” he stated. “We take pride in having contributed to her journey.”
“The transfer fee itself is significant for the women’s game,” he added.
Last year, Regan caught attention by participating in 11 of Canada’s 13 matches, establishing herself as a key defensive midfielder under coach Casey Stoney. This brought her total senior caps to 15.
In June, she netted her first senior goal for Canada in a 4-1 victory against Costa Rica.
“Competing at the highest level and representing Canada has always been a dream of mine, and I’m eager to bring that experience to Summit FC,” Regan expressed.
On the club front, Regan played every minute of every match (both regular season and playoffs), leading Toronto to a top position in the regular-season standings and a spot in the inaugural NSL championship game, where they lost 2-1 to the Vancouver Rise.
She was honored as the NSL midfielder of the year, made the league’s team of the season as selected by her peers, and also received the Player of the Season award from AFC Toronto.
‘She set our standards from Day 1’
“Emma’s influence on our club cannot be overstated,” remarked Toronto head coach Marko Milanovic in a statement. “Her professionalism, reliability, and leadership established the foundation for everything we built this year.”
“She set our standards from Day 1 and was the driving force behind our midfield. We are extremely proud of her and thankful for all she contributed to this club.”
Before her time at Toronto, Regan spent two seasons with HB Koge in Denmark alongside fellow Canadian Samantha Chang, who was signed by Toronto last week as a free agent from the Vancouver Rise.
Regan was a four-year starter and captain during her time at the University of Texas.
In other NWSL developments, Canadian forward Nichelle Prince has been traded from the Kansas City Current to the expansion Boston Legacy. Boston also acquired a 2026 international roster spot and sent $125,000 USD in allocation funds along with $50,000 in intra-league transfer funds to Kansas City.
The 30-year-old from Ajax, Ontario, who has scored 17 goals in 113 appearances for Canada, played the last two seasons with Kansas City after spending seven years with the Houston Dash.
“Nichelle is an established NWSL player who brings significant quality and experience to our team. She has competed at the highest level and understands what it takes to succeed, both in this league and internationally with Canada,” Legacy GM Dome Guasch said in a statement. “She adds speed, intelligence, and versatility, and we believe her attributes align perfectly with what we aim to develop in Boston.”
“Equally important, Nichelle is a strong influence off the field, someone who will elevate our standards and help shape our culture from Day 1 and beyond.”
