TORONTO, ON – JUNE 10: Jonathan David #10 of Canada scores in a penalty shootout during an International Friendly against Ivory Coast at BMO Field on June 10, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Canada international Jonathan David has come to Juventus and Ismael Koné signed for Sassuolo, as the connection between the CANMNT and Serie A continues to grow.
Tajon Buchanan made history in May 2024 when he fired in during Inter’s 5-0 victory over Frosinone, therefore becoming the first ever Canadian to be on the scoresheet in a Serie A match.
He has since moved on from Italian football, completing a transfer to Villarreal, but he was replaced in the Peninsula by two teammates in the CANMNT.
Canada connection increases with Serie A new signings
David is 25 years old and joined Juventus as a free agent, having made his name at KAA Gent in Belgium and then French side Lille.
Putting pen to paper on a contract to June 2030, the centre-forward had received many proposals this summer including from the Premier League and LaLiga, but opted to challenge himself in Serie A for Juventus.
He has 36 goals in 67 senior caps for Canada, along with 20 assists, a remarkable tally for someone who was only 18 when he made his senior debut.
There is a big Italian community in Canada, with the most recent census stating 4.3 per cent of the population has Italian ancestry, and more could be tuning into Italian football now after the arrival of the star striker.
Soccer isn’t the most popular pastime in that country, but there are free spins no deposit in Canada too.
CANMNT influence increasing in Italian football
The latest Canadian addition to the Serie A roster is midfielder Koné, who was born in the Ivory Coast, but moved to Canada at a young age.
He also played in the USA, England and France, making the move from Olympique Marseille to Sassuolo on loan for €2.5m with an option to buy.
That can become an obligation for €10m and a percentage of the future sale fee, but only if the Neroverdi manage to avoid relegation this season.
Not quite as prodigious as David, Koné had to wait until the grand old age of 19 years and nine months before making his senior debut for the CANMNT in March 2022.
He has still been able to make 31 appearances for his country, contributing a decent tally of three goals from midfield.
On top of that, Federico Bernardeschi has also returned to Italy after his experience in Canada with Toronto FC, while Lorenzo Insigne could well follow too.
