Jules-Anthony Vilsaint

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    Jules-Anthony Vilsaint Bio

    Jules-Anthony Vilsaint, born January 6, 2003, is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club Toronto FC. Standing at 194 centimeters, he is known for his tall frame, pace, and ability to operate across several attacking positions. Vilsaint developed his game in Quebec before moving to Europe as a teenager, returning to North America to establish himself in Major League Soccer.

    After progressing through Belgian football with Royal Antwerp II, Vilsaint joined CF Montréal in 2023, where he made his MLS debut and scored his first league goal. In August 2025, he was traded to Toronto FC, marking the start of a new chapter in his professional career.

    Early Life and Background

    Jules-Anthony Vilsaint was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on January 6, 2003. Growing up in a city with a deep soccer culture, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and began playing youth soccer at the age of four. His early development took place within Montreal’s strong local club system.

    As a child, Vilsaint played for CS Delta Laval, the first organized club of his youth career. He later moved on to CS St-Laurent, where he continued to refine his technical skills. He also spent time with CS Panellinios, another club in the Montreal area that helped shape his understanding of the game before his move abroad.

    Vilsaint comes from a family with a clear connection to soccer. His younger brother, Jaylen-Andre Vilsaint, is also a soccer player and has represented Haiti at the under-20 level while playing for Torreense’s under-19 team in Portugal. The brothers’ shared passion for the sport has been a defining part of their upbringing in Montreal.

    Path to Soccer

    Vilsaint’s path toward a professional career accelerated in 2020, when he left Canada to train with the reserve team of French club Lille. The move to Europe exposed him to a higher level of competition and gave him a clearer view of the demands required to succeed at the top of the sport.

    In March 2021, he signed a four-year contract with Belgian club Antwerp, joining one of the country’s top development pipelines. The agreement reflected strong belief in his potential and gave him the platform to train in a professional environment on a daily basis.

    During his time in Belgium, Vilsaint also became eligible to represent both Canada and Haiti at the international level. He was named to a preliminary Haiti under-17 squad for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, though he was not selected for the final tournament. In 2021, he received a call to Canada’s provisional squad for the Gold Cup, and in 2022 he was named to Canada’s provisional squad for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

    Jules-Anthony Vilsaint Career

    Early Career (2022)

    In 2022, Vilsaint began his senior career with Royal Antwerp II, the reserve team of Royal Antwerp, competing in the Belgian National Division 1, the country’s third tier. He made ten appearances and scored one goal during his time with the squad, gaining valuable experience in a competitive adult league.

    Although his playing time was limited, reports indicated that off-the-field complications, rather than injury, played a role in restricting his opportunities. Despite the challenges, his time in Belgium allowed him to adjust to the pace and physicality of European football and prepared him for the next step in his development.

    CF Montréal Era (2023–2025)

    In February 2023, Vilsaint returned to North America, signing a two-year contract with CF Montréal of Major League Soccer, with option years for 2025 and 2026. The transfer included a sell-on clause for Antwerp, reflecting the Belgian club’s continued interest in his future progress.

    He made his MLS debut on May 31, 2023, against DC United, marking his official entry into one of North America’s top professional leagues. On September 2, 2023, he scored his first goal for CF Montréal, netting the second goal in an eventual 4-2 defeat against the Columbus Crew. The goal was a milestone moment in his young career and confirmed his ability to contribute at the MLS level.

    Across his time with CF Montréal, Vilsaint worked to establish himself as a reliable attacking option, drawing on his European experience. His combination of size, speed, and versatility made him a useful piece in the team’s attacking rotation during a developmental stage of his career.

    Toronto FC Era (2025–Present)

    In August 2025, Vilsaint was traded to Toronto FC along with up to $275,000 in General Allocation Money, in exchange for midfielder Matty Longstaff. The move brought him back to Canadian soccer and offered a fresh opportunity to compete for a more prominent role.

    Joining Toronto FC placed Vilsaint within a club actively reshaping its roster and looking for young attacking talent. His familiarity with Major League Soccer, combined with his European training, made him a natural fit for the team’s plans going forward.

    Driving Style and Strengths

    Vilsaint began his career as a midfielder before transitioning into a central striker role with Lille and later featuring as a winger for Antwerp. He is widely described as a player with strong physical abilities, combining impressive pace with his tall stature. His versatility allows him to operate in multiple attacking positions, making him a flexible option for coaches in different tactical setups.

    Notable Events and Milestones

    Among the standout moments of Vilsaint’s early career are his MLS debut against DC United on May 31, 2023, and his first MLS goal against the Columbus Crew on September 2, 2023. His 2025 trade to Toronto FC also represents a major career milestone, signaling continued confidence in his potential from multiple Major League Soccer organizations.

    Jules-Anthony Vilsaint Career Wins

    As a young player still in the early stages of his professional journey, Jules-Anthony Vilsaint’s win totals continue to grow. His experience has included stints in the Belgian third tier and Major League Soccer, with consistent development across both competitions shaping his growing résumé.

    CF Montréal Highlights

    During his time with CF Montréal, Vilsaint’s most notable individual highlight was scoring his first MLS goal against the Columbus Crew in September 2023. The moment was a breakthrough in his adaptation to Major League Soccer and confirmed his ability to finish at the highest North American level.

    Other Wins & Performances

    At the club level, Vilsaint scored one goal in ten appearances for Royal Antwerp II in the Belgian National Division 1 during the 2022 season. His international pathway has included provisional squad selections for Haiti at the under-17 level and for Canada at the Gold Cup and CONCACAF U-20 Championship, reflecting his recognition as a developing talent.

    Jules-Anthony Vilsaint Family

    Family Background and Racing Lineage

    Jules-Anthony Vilsaint was raised in Montreal, Quebec, in a household where soccer played a central role. His younger brother, Jaylen-Andre Vilsaint, has pursued a soccer career of his own, currently playing for Torreense’s under-19 team in Portugal and representing Haiti at the under-20 level. The brothers share both a national and athletic bond, with Jules-Anthony eligible to represent Canada while Jaylen-Andre has chosen Haiti.

    Personal Life

    Born and raised in Montreal, Vilsaint remains connected to his Canadian roots while continuing his professional career in Major League Soccer. His path from local youth clubs in Quebec to professional soccer in Europe and back to North America reflects the international journey of a modern Canadian footballer.

    2025 Season Performance

    The 2025 season began with Vilsaint completing his trade to Toronto FC in August, marking a significant transition in his young career. The move paired him with a club focused on building its attacking depth with emerging talent, providing him a platform to compete for a regular role.

    Coming off a developmental period with CF Montréal, Vilsaint brought MLS experience and a familiarity with the league’s playing style. His physical profile and ability to play across the front line gave Toronto FC flexibility as the club assessed its forward options for the remainder of the season.

    Looking ahead, Vilsaint’s outlook in Toronto will depend on his adaptation to a new system and his ability to build on the progress made in Montreal. With several years of professional experience already behind him, he enters this chapter of his career focused on establishing himself as a consistent contributor in Major League Soccer.