Klaidi Cela (born July 16, 1999) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays for Toronto FC II in MLS Next Pro.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Klaidi Cela | ||
| Date of birth | (1999-07-16) July 16, 1999 (age 23) | ||
| Place of birth | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Toronto FC II | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Mississauga Falcons | |||
| 2012–2016 | Toronto FC | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015 | Toronto FC II | 1 | (0) |
| 2016 | Toronto FC III | 23 | (0) |
| 2016–2018 | Gafanha | ||
| 2018 | Sigma FC | 1 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | Forge FC | 10 | (1) |
| 2021 | Sigma FC | 4 | (1) |
| 2021 | → Forge FC (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2021 | Forge FC | 4 | (0) |
| 2022– | Toronto FC II | 4 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2017 | Canada U18 | 1 | (0) |
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*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of June 11, 2022 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of March 4, 2019 | |||
Cela began his career at the age of eight when playing for Mississauga Falcons SC.[1] In October 2012, he joined the Toronto FC Academy.[2]
On May 1, 2015, Cela signed with Toronto FC II, alongside Gabriel Boakye, Malik Johnson and Brogan Engbers.[3] He made a single appearance for the affiliate club during the 2015 USL season. Cela made his professional debut on the final day of the season, playing for 29 minutes in a 2–0 defeat to Rochester Rhinos.[4] He also appeared for Toronto FC III in both League1 Ontario[5] and the Premier Development League.[6]
In summer 2016, Cela signed with Campeonato de Portugal club Gafanha, where he would play for two seasons.[7]
After leaving Gafanha, Cela returned to Canada and spent the remainder of the 2018 season with Sigma FC in League1 Ontario, making one league appearance and another three appearances in the playoffs.[8]
On April 3, 2019, Cela signed with Canadian Premier League side Forge FC.[7]
In 2021, he returned to Sigma FC of League1 Ontario.[9] In August 2021, it was announced that Forge had re-signed Cela on a short term deal.[10] Cela rejoined Forge for a single game in September, and was eventually signed in October by Forge for the remainder of the 2021 Canadian Premier League season.[11][12]
On March 31, 2022, Cela signed with MLS Next Pro side Toronto FC II.[2]
Due to Cela's parents being born in Albania, he is eligible to represent both Canada and Albania.[1] Cela was chosen to be included in the Canada Under-15 camps in Vaughan and Costa Rica, as well as an Under-18 development camp. However, he is yet to make an international appearance for either nation.[1]
Toronto FC II – current squad | |
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