Former Forge FC forward Mo Babouli returns to CPL, signs with York United

York United FC of the Canadian Premier League has signed former Toronto and Forge FC forward Mo Babouli through the end of 2024.

The 29-year-old Babouli, who was born in Syria but came to Mississauga, Ont., when he was three, left Forge in January to join Muaither FC in Qatar’s second tier.

Babouli joined the Toronto FC academy in 2014, making his debut with the MLS side’s first team in April 2016. He played 16 league games for TFC that season with one assist.

He then played for Al-Ittihad SC Aleppo in Syria (2017-18), and League1 Ontario’s Sigma FC (2017).

Babouli joined Forge in August 2020, with 12 goals and six assists in 43 appearances across two seasons, Babouli helped the Hamilton-based side win the Island Games in 2020 and finish runner-up to Pacific FC in 2021.

“Mo is a very creative, talented and experienced player that really wanted to join York United,” York coach Martin Nash said in a statement. “We are especially pleased to have him for 2023 and 2024. He is one of the important pieces for us moving forward.”

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The move comes a week after York sold teenage forward Lowell Wright to Whitecaps FC 2, Vancouver’s entry in the MLS Next Pro league.

“It was important, with the departure of Lowell, to make sure we recruited a quality player,” said York president and GM Angus McNab. “Equally, it was crucial to bring in someone who wanted to commit to a deal that ensures we have stability and certainty in our planning for Martin and the staff to build around.”