Emma Regan and Kaela Hansen’s respective journeys in soccer are a familiar story for elite players in Canada.

The pair grew up playing together in Burnaby, B.C., before making the jump to the Vancouver Whitecaps Girls Elite program and the Canadian youth national teams. From there, they went south of the border to the NCAA, albeit on different teams, before heading overseas to play professionally in Europe – Regan in Denmark, and Hansen in both Serbia and Finland.

Now, the long-time friends will be reunited on home soil, as both will be joining AFC Toronto for the Northern Super League’s first season.

“I really wanted to be a part of this inaugural season and hopefully, in turn, push soccer forward in Canada,” Regan told TSN. “I think it was just very exciting for all Canadian players to see that this would be a reality… It's just an amazing step for soccer in Canada.”

While both are passionate about the prospect of joining the NSL, which is set to kick off in April with six teams across the country, the fact that they’re doing so in tandem is the cherry on top.

“It's going to be an even greater experience to have one of my closest friends with me be a part of it,” Hansen told TSN. “You can imagine the excitement on our faces. We're just constantly talking about it.”

While the duo, both 24, have experience in the Canadian youth national system, Regan has earned several call-ups with the senior team. In the most recent window, the midfielder picked up her fourth international cap, playing all 90 minutes in a 5-1 win against Korea Republic.

“Really happy for Emma. Thought she was definitely keen to get on the ball defensively. She did well,” interim head coach Cindy Tye told the media postgame. “We challenged her to face forward a little bit more and connect… I think she had a great impact on the game.”

Regan’s signing with AFC Toronto marks the first time a player currently in the national team pool has joined the NSL. Goalkeeper Erin McLeod, who........

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