Cavalry FC has kicked off its home opening week with a marquee addition.
London born centre back Levi Laing, formerly of West Ham United FC, has joined the Cavs on a multi-year contract, guaranteed through 2026 with an option for 2027, ahead of their Canadian Premier League home opener on April 18 versus Vancouver FC.
“I’ve loved every minute and it’s been a really easy transition from England to Canada,” Laing said. “It’s an expanding league and these opportunities don’t come very often so for me and my family it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“And sometimes you have to take risks and I’m loving it, the people here are so welcoming, I’ve fallen in love with Canada and it’s like my second home already.”
The 22-year-old describes himself as an aggressive centre back who loves to defend and is composed and technically sound in possession. He’s able to line up at centre right, centre left or right back or even midfield.
He joins a central defence group with returning stalwarts Callum Montgomery, Tom Field and Eryk Kobza.
Laing developed in the academy ranks with Hampton & Richmond Borough along with a trio of current Premier League clubs in Brentford FC, Arsenal FC and West Ham.
He made a memorable professional debut with West Ham in the east London club’s UEFA Europa Conference tilt versus AEK Larnaca in March 2023.
“For me, playing in front of 30-40 thousand, that was a wow, it was a bit surreal,” he said. “But after I got my first touch of the football, I was fine and it came naturally.
“After the game, that was the first time I saw my dad cry and my sister and it was just a lovely moment for me and my family.”
Laing is excited to see the Cavalry game day experience first-hand this weekend as the defending champions return to ATCO Field for the first time since lifting the North Star Cup as playoff victors in November.
“I can’t wait to get onto the pitch in front of the fans,” he said. “And smiling and hopefully winning a lot of games for the fans.”
Friday’s contest will feature two teams in search of their first points of the season with Cavalry dropping its season opener on April 5 to Forge FC and Vancouver off to an 0-2 start.
“It’s never easy to have a bye so early, once you get a taste of being back the boys just want to keep playing,” said Cavalry FC right back Fraser Aird. “We’re ready to go, we’re looking forward to being back in front of our home fans on Friday.
“Last time we were here we had great memories in front of this crowd. This is a new year and we’re looking forward to the fans coming out and supporting us again.”
The Cavs have had the edge on their B.C. foes in the matchup with an undefeated record over two seasons in all competitions.
“They’re going to come here hungry and we’re coming off a loss and looking for our first points,” Aird said.
“It’s an interesting matchup, we haven’t lost to them, but the games looking back over the years haven’t been easy games, they’re always in the fight and have good players on their roster and have added a few numbers this year.
“Our mentality is just next team up. It doesn’t matter who we play, we prepare properly and hopefully we can go and get three points.”
Kick-off for the Friday, April 18 home opener is 5 p.m. at Spruce Meadows’ ATCO Field. Cavalry hosts Atlético Ottawa on April 26 and Edmonton Scottish on April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Canadian Championship to close a busy stretch in Foothills County.
For more information, go to cavsfc.com.
