SEASIDE, Calif. – Monterey Bay FC announced on Monday it had signed Canadian defender Kelsey Egwu to a two-year contract through the 2027 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

Egwu joins Monterey Bay having spent the 2025 season on loan with Canadian Premier League side Valour FC from Estonian club JK Narva Trans. On May 10, the 21-year-old scored his first professional goal in a match against Atlético Ottawa before going on to score two additional goals in his next three starts.

Prior to his stint with Valour, Egwu competed in the Estonian top-flight for JK Narva Trans, where he logged nearly 2,500 minutes across 37 matches. After the defender impressed with a strong preseason trial in 2024, Egwu signed a permanent deal with the Estonian club.

“I watched a couple of the games played towards the end of the season and the style of play influenced my decision heavily,” said Egwu. “It was a joy to watch, and I believe that I’ll fit in perfectly to the way the coach wants us to play. I wanted to be in a better league, at a club where the style of play would suit me, and where the club had a good community behind them game after game, so that is why I believe this is the right next step in my career.

“My goal with the team is for us to make it as difficult as possible for away sides to get results in our home. And in turn, for us to make the playoffs.”

A native of Toronto, Egwu spent part of his childhood in Nigeria before eventually moving back to Canada in 2015, settling in Edmonton, Alberta. From there, he developed through the ranks of St. Albert Impact SC, Edmonton Strikers, and BTB Soccer Club before making his professional debut with FC Edmonton in 2022 at just 18 years old.

The following year, Egwu featured for FC London in League1 Ontario where he played every match of the 2023 season. At the conclusion of that campaign, the Canadian defender earned the opportunity to train with MLS NEXT Pro side Toronto FC II.

“We’re excited to bring Kelsey into our club,” said Monterey Bay FC Head Coach Jordan Stewart. “He has experience in Europe, including significant minutes in the Estonian top-flight. Physically, Kelsey is tall, athletic, brave, and extremely comfortable on the ball. He immediately adds elite competition and quality to our backline. I’m looking forward to seeing him develop next season.”