Spain's Sergio Gomez, left, battles for the ball with Croatia's Niko Sigur during a match at the Euro 2023 U21 Championship, in Bucharest, Romania, on June 24, 2023.Andreea Alexandru/The Associated Press
Head coach Jesse Marsch has named midfielder Niko Sigur to Canada’s roster for friendlies against the United States and Mexico during the September FIFA international window.
The Canadian men’s national team plays the United States on Sept. 7 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, followed by a meeting with Mexico at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Sept. 10.
The games will be Canada’s first since finishing a historic fourth at the Copa America this summer.
Sigur, who plays for Croatia’s Hajduk Split, joins Canada after a FIFA-approved one-time switch. The 20-year-old from Burnaby, B.C., is also eligible for Croatia and had played nine games for the Croatian under-21 team.
Sporting Kansas City winger Stephen Afrifa, a 23-year-old from Toronto who’s eligible for Ghana, will also make his camp debut for Canada.
Captain Alphonso Davies, vice-captain Stephen Eustaquio and striker Jonathan David were also named to the 23-player roster. Marseille midfielder Ismaël Koné was not included after picking up an ankle injury in training this month.
“We’re excited to get the group back together after a positive Copa America,” Marsch said in a statement. “We’re eager to play against two of the best teams in our region to help prepare us for the upcoming CONCACAF competitions.”
Canada roster for coming friendlies
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United (MLS).
Defenders: Samuel Adekugbe, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Moïse Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Derek Cornelius, Olympique de Marseille (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Alistair Johnston, Celtic FC (Scotland); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed, Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Mathieu Choinière, Grasshopper Club Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).
Forwards: Stephen Afrifa, Sporting Kansas City (MLS); Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, Lille OSC (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Liam Millar, Hull City FC (England); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS).