Montreal Roses sign hometown forward Latifah Abdu to Northern Super League deal

The Montreal Roses have signed hometown forward Latifah Abdu to a contract.

The Northern Super League team announced the deal Tuesday.

Abdu has one international cap for Canada, making her debut during a 5-0 win in a friendly against Australia on Dec. 1, 2023.

The 23-year-old from nearby Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., returns to Montreal after spending parts of four years in France, beginning her career overseas in 2020 with Soyaux of the Premiere Ligue, the country's top flight.

"Joining a new project, at home, is an exceptional opportunity both in terms of sports and on a personal level," Abdu said in a statement. "My short-term goal is to continue my progress on the pitch and give my all to my city and to the Montreal Roses club."

Abdu also played for Metz and Strasbourg of the second division before returning to the Premiere Ligue with Dijon last season.

She had two goals and five points in 14 games with Dijon. She signed with En Avant Guingamp in July and has two assists in nine games this season.

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The team will be known as Roses FC and will compete alongside five teams from across Canada in the Northern Super League (NSL). There are still some unknowns about the club, including who will play for them and where they will play.

'Versatility in attack and defence'

"Latifah embodies unshakable determination, remarkable speed, and immense potential. At the very beginning of the project, I met a committed player who believed in the team long before anything took shape," said Marinette Pichon, the club's sporting director. "Her speed, her precise centring, and her ability to create opportunities on the pitch will make all the difference.

"Combative and driven by a strong team spirit, Latifah will reinforce the team's dynamic, while bringing her versatility, both in attack and defence."

In 2018 and 2019, Abdu played for the Lakers du Lac Saint-Louis and CS Monteuil in the semi-professional Premiere ligue de soccer du Quebec (PSLQ).

She returned to the PSLQ briefly in 2021 with CS Mont-Royal Outremont in 2021, winning the league's gold boot award as top scorer.

Abdu also led Vanier College to a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) title in 2021 and won player of the year honours.

Roses FC introduced veteran French international defensive midfielder Charlotte Bilbault and Canadian goalkeeper Gabrielle Lambert as its first players in October.

Montreal joins Vancouver Rise FC, Ottawa Rapid FC, Halifax Tides FC, Calgary Wild FC and AFC Toronto in the new Canadian professional league set to begin next spring.