Jean-Aniel Assi

Jean-Aniel Eclesiaste Assi (born 12 August 2004) is a professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Crown Legacy FC of MLS Next Pro. Born in the Ivory Coast, Assi represents Canada internationally.

Jean-Aniel Assi
Personal information
Full nameJean-Aniel Eclesiaste Assi
Date of birth (2004-08-12) 12 August 2004 (age 19)
Place of birthAdzopé, Ivory Coast
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)Winger
Team information
Current team
Crown Legacy FC
Number47
Youth career
ASM LaSalle
Royal-Sélect de Beauport
2017–2020Montreal Impact
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2020–2023CF Montréal[a]0(0)
2022Cavalry FC (loan)19(0)
2023Atlético Ottawa (loan)25(1)
2024–Crown Legacy FC0(0)
International career
2019Canada U155(4)
2022–Canada U203(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of January 25, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of June 26, 2022

Early life

Born in Adzopé, Ivory Coast, in 2004, Assi moved to Canada at age 10.[1] He began playing youth soccer in Canada with ASM LaSalle,[2] before joining Royal-Sélect de Beauport.[3] In 2017, he joined the Montreal Impact Academy.[4] In 2020, he took part in the pre-season training camp with the first team, when he was only fifteen.[5]

Club career

On 4 December 2020, Assi signed his first homegrown contract with Montreal Impact (later renamed CF Montréal for the 2021 season).[6][7] Assi made his professional debut with Montreal Impact in a 1-0 CONCACAF Champions League win over C.D. Olimpia on 15 December 2020,[1] becoming the youngest ever player to play for the club at the age of 16 years and 125 days.[8][9]

In March 2022, Assi went on a one-year loan with Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC.[10][11] In February 2023, he went on loan with Atlético Ottawa.[12] Upon completion of the 2023 Season, CF Montréal would announce that they would not pick up Assi's contract for 2024, ending his time with the club.[13]

In January 2024, Assi joined Crown Legacy FC, the MLS Next Pro affiliate of Charlotte FC.[14]

International career

As of January 2021, Assi is eligible to represent both the Ivory Coast and Canada.[1] In July 2019, he made his debut in the Canadian youth program at a U15 camp.[2] He represented the Canada U15s at the 2019 CONCACAF Boys' Under-15 Championship,[15] where he was named to the Tournament All-Star XI.[16] In June 2022, he was named to the Canadian U-20 team for the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.[17]

Career statistics

As of October 7, 2023[18]
ClubLeagueSeasonLeaguePlayoffsDomestic CupContinentalTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
CF MontrealMajor League Soccer202000001010
2021000000
Total0000001010
Cavalry FC (loan)Canadian Premier League20221900020210
Atlético Ottawa (loan)202325120271
Career Total441004010491

Notes

References