Forge FC signs Hamilton goalkeeper Dino Bontis to developmental deal; adds two others

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Published April 5, 2022 at 1:41 pm

Forge FC signs Hamilton goalkeeper Dino Bontis to developmental deal; adds two others
Forge FC didn't have to look very far to find a highly touted young goalkeeper to add to its developmental squad. 17-year-old Dino Bontis is joining the club after an impressive youth career.

Forge FC didn’t have to look very far to find a highly touted young goalkeeper to add to its developmental squad. 17-year-old Dino Bontis is joining the club after an impressive youth career.

Born and raised in Hamilton, Bontis played his youth soccer with Hamilton Sparta before moving to the Toronto FC academy where he was named the U13 Concacaf Club Championships 2017 Golden Glove winner as the tournament’s top goalkeeper.

Bontis is part of the Canadian youth national team pool, having previously represented Canada in the under-15 age group in 2019. He made four appearances in the U15 Concacaf Championships, securing two clean sheets against Mexico and El Salvador.

Dino’s father, Dr. Nick Bontis, is a former Canadian soccer player and a long-time academic in Hamilton with McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business. Dr. Bontis is currently serving as President of Canada Soccer.

Forge announced two other Canadian signings on Tuesday (Apr. 5). Midfielder Shamit Shome and defender Cale Loughrey are now under contract with Hamilton’s CPL club, however, both will be sent out on loan to FC Edmonton.

Shome, 24, spent the 2021 season with FC Edmonton, suiting up for 28 appearances and recording two assists in all competitions. The Edmonton native also spent four seasons (2017-2020) with CF Montreal of the MLS making 52 appearances tallying one goal and one assist.

Internationally, Shome has made two appearances for Canada.

Loughrey, 20, spent two seasons (2020-21) with the University of Alabama Birmingham, suiting up for a total of 25 appearances and recording one goal and two assists. During his time with the Blazers, the defender was named to the C-USA All-Conference Third Team.

The Ajax native spent the 2019 season with Seneca College recording five goals and being awarded First Team All-star for OCCAA.

Forge FC opens the 2022 CPL season against Pacific FC on Apr. 10 in Winnipeg. It will be a rematch of the 2021 Final that went Pacific’s way.

Forge will host Cavalry FC on Apr. 16 at Tim Hortons Field in the club’s home opener.

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