Forge FC bring back 2019 CanPL MVP Tristan Borges on loan

Forge FC made the biggest signing of the Canadian Premier League offseason on Friday, bringing back the league's best-ever player, Tristan Borges.

The 22-year-old midfielder returns to Hamilton on loan from OH Leuven, the Belgian club that signed him after Borges dominated the CPL’s inaugural 2019 season.

In 27 CPL games in 2019, Borges did it all. He was the first Golden Boot winner with 13 goals, and added five assists, also tied for first in that category. His 13 goals in that 2019 season still have him tied atop the league's all-time goals list with Easton Ongaro (FC Edmonton) and Akeem Garcia (HFX Wanderers).

He also picked up the U-21 Player of the Year and the CPL Player of the Year, as well as scoring the winning goal in the first leg of the final as Forge FC picked up the first North Star Shield over Cavalry FC.

His incredible season earned him a call-up with the Canadian senior national team, and he made his debut off the bench against Barbados in January 2020.

Simply put, he's done it all in the CPL, and will be looking to add to his achievements in the league this season.

He returns to Forge after being frozen out of the team in Leuven. After a management change, Borges wasn't even given a squad number this year, and spent time with the reserves.

He has made four appearances for the side since joining from Forge in January 2020.

A change of scenery looked necessary, and returning to a team and league he's excelled in is great for both him and viewers alike.

The Canadian Premier League is aiming to kick off the 2021 season in May, but Forge's first game of the year could come a lot sooner than that.

The Canadian Championship is expected to be played later this month, when Forge FC will take on Toronto FC.