Nathan-Dylan Saliba Bio
Nathan-Dylan Saliba (born February 7, 2004) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays for Belgian Pro League club Anderlecht and the Canada national team. A midfielder who came through the Montreal Impact Academy, Saliba broke into Major League Soccer with CF Montréal before completing a transfer to Belgium in 2025. Internationally, he debuted for Canada in 2024 and was named the 2024 Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year. Standing 173 cm, he is regarded as one of the most promising Canadian players of his generation.
Saliba is of Haitian descent through both of his parents and speaks English, French, and Haitian Creole. His rise through the Canadian soccer system, combined with a successful move to a top-flight European league, has positioned him as a long-term option for the Canadian national team setup.
Early Life and Background
Nathan-Dylan Saliba was born on February 7, 2004, in Longueuil, Québec, Canada. He grew up in a household with Haitian roots on both sides of his family, a heritage that shaped his bilingual and multicultural upbringing in the Montreal area. Longueuil, located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River across from Montreal, has produced a number of Canadian soccer talents, and Saliba joined that pipeline at a young age.
Saliba began playing organized youth soccer at age nine with CS Longueuil, a local club that gave him his first structured introduction to the sport. In 2017, at age 13, he moved into the Montreal Impact Academy, the youth development arm of the city’s Major League Soccer franchise. The academy is widely recognized as one of the leading player development environments in Canada, and Saliba’s progression through its ranks laid the foundation for his professional career.
Outside of his club pathway, Saliba was already representing Canada at the international youth level as a teenager. In 2016, he suited up for Canada at the Danone Nations Cup, a prominent international youth tournament. Three years later, in 2019, he attended a Canada U15 team camp and was subsequently named to the roster for the 2019 CONCACAF Boys’ Under-15 Championship, confirming his standing within the national program at a young age.
Path to Professional Soccer
Saliba’s pathway into professional soccer accelerated in late 2020, when, at age 16, he signed his first professional contract with the Montreal Impact, which was shortly afterward re-branded as CF Montréal. He was named as an unused substitute in a December 15, 2020 CONCACAF Champions League match against C.D. Olimpia, giving him an early taste of senior competition even before his official debut.
In 2022, Saliba played a developmental season with CF Montréal U23 in the Première ligue de soccer du Québec, scoring four goals in seven appearances and continuing to refine his game. That December, he signed a two-year contract extension with CF Montréal, signaling the club’s long-term commitment to his development. During the 2023 pre-season, Saliba chose to push for a place in the senior squad rather than accept a Canadian Premier League loan that several of his academy peers had taken, and he scored in a pre-season exhibition against the PLSQ All-Stars.
His first professional appearance came on February 25, 2023, when he started CF Montréal’s season opener against Inter Miami CF, marking the start of his top-flight career. By the end of the 2024 MLS campaign, he had earned a place on the MLS 22 Under 22 list and a nomination for the MLS Young Player of the Year award, underscoring his emergence as one of the league’s brightest young midfielders.
Nathan-Dylan Saliba Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Saliba’s earliest professional years were spent balancing first-team exposure with developmental minutes. After signing his first contract with the Montreal Impact in December 2020, he was named an unused substitute in a CONCACAF Champions League fixture against Olimpia later that month, providing his first experience of a senior matchday squad. Over the next two seasons, he continued to train with CF Montréal’s senior group while competing for the club’s U23 team.
In 2022, Saliba played for CF Montréal U23 in the Première ligue de soccer du Québec, a regional developmental league, and produced four goals in seven matches, demonstrating his attacking instincts from midfield. The strong showing led to a two-year contract extension with CF Montréal in December 2022, securing his place within the club’s long-term plans and setting the stage for his push toward the first team.
CF Montréal Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Saliba’s official professional debut arrived on February 25, 2023, when he was named in the starting lineup for CF Montréal’s MLS season opener against Inter Miami CF. Choosing to compete for a first-team place over a Canadian Premier League loan, he earned the trust of the coaching staff and became a regular contributor in midfield over the following two MLS seasons.
By the end of the 2024 campaign, Saliba had established himself as one of the top young players in Major League Soccer. He was included on the MLS 22 Under 22 list and was nominated for the MLS Young Player of the Year award, recognition that highlighted his breakout season at CF Montréal and drew attention from European clubs.
Anderlecht Era (2025–Present)
In June 2025, Saliba completed a transfer from CF Montréal to Belgian Pro League club Anderlecht for an undisclosed fee, signing a contract that runs through 2029. CF Montréal retained a sell-on clause as part of the agreement, reflecting the club’s confidence in his long-term value. The move to one of Belgium’s most decorated clubs represented a significant step up in competition level and a return to European soccer for a player developed within the MLS system.
Saliba’s arrival at Anderlecht provided him with regular exposure to top-flight European football and a platform to develop his game against established professionals. The multi-year contract also gave both player and club stability as he adjusted to a new league, a new country, and a new tactical environment.
Driving Style and Strengths
Saliba is a versatile midfielder known for his composure on the ball, range of passing, and willingness to contribute on both sides of the ball. His experience in a possession-oriented environment at CF Montréal, combined with his multicultural language skills, has helped him adapt quickly to new tactical systems. At Anderlecht, his technical base and football intelligence have positioned him to take on an expanded role within the squad.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Saliba’s standout moments are his 2023 professional debut against Inter Miami CF, his selection to the MLS 22 Under 22 list at the conclusion of the 2024 season, and his transfer to Anderlecht in June 2025. On the international stage, his first goal for Canada came on June 17, 2025, in a 6-0 win over Honduras at BC Place during the opening match of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, a major milestone in his senior career.
Nathan-Dylan Saliba Career Wins
Nathan-Dylan Saliba’s career wins to date include a regional developmental title with CF Montréal U23 in the Première ligue de soccer du Québec and notable individual recognition at both club and international level. His biggest collective trophies are still ahead of him as he settles into his Anderlecht contract, while his individual honors already include the 2024 Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year award.
CF Montréal U23 Highlights
In 2022, Saliba scored four goals in seven appearances for CF Montréal U23 in the Première ligue de soccer du Québec, helping to establish himself as one of the leading young attacking midfielders in the Canadian development pipeline. That campaign directly preceded his two-year contract extension with CF Montréal and his integration into the senior team.
Other Wins and Performances
Saliba has accumulated individual accolades in addition to team results, including his place on the 2024 MLS 22 Under 22 list, his nomination for the MLS Young Player of the Year award, and the 2024 Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year honor. Internationally, he has competed in the 2019 CONCACAF Boys’ Under-15 Championship, the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and senior friendlies against the United States and Mexico.
Nathan-Dylan Saliba Family
Family Background and Heritage
Nathan-Dylan Saliba is of Haitian descent through both of his parents, a heritage that connects him to one of the largest cultural communities in the Montreal area. Growing up in Longueuil, Québec, he was raised in a bilingual household and later added Haitian Creole to his list of spoken languages alongside English and French.
Personal Life
Saliba maintains strong ties to his Haitian-Canadian roots and is known to speak English, French, and Haitian Creole. His early soccer development began with CS Longueuil before he moved to the Montreal Impact Academy in 2017, and he has continued to credit that foundation for his professional progress.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a defining year in Nathan-Dylan Saliba’s career, marked by his transfer to Anderlecht and his first senior goal for Canada. He joined the Belgian Pro League club in June 2025 on a contract running through 2029, beginning a new chapter in a top European league and adjusting to a higher level of weekly competition.
Internationally, Saliba was named to Canada’s squad for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup and opened his senior scoring account on June 17, 2025, finding the net in a 6-0 win over Honduras at BC Place. The goal was a major milestone in his young international career and reinforced his value to the national team setup heading into future competitions.
With his Anderlecht contract secured through 2029, Saliba’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond centers on establishing himself as a regular contributor in Belgium and continuing his trajectory with the Canadian national team. His combination of youth, technical quality, and international experience suggests he will remain a focal point of Canadian soccer for years to come.