Jules-Anthony Vilsaint Bio
Jules-Anthony Vilsaint (born January 6, 2003) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club Toronto FC, where he wears the number 99 shirt. Standing 1.94 m (6 ft 4½ in) tall, he is known for his physical presence, pace, and ability to operate in several attacking roles across the front line. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Vilsaint developed through the youth ranks in his home province before moving to Europe in 2020, and he now represents one of the more closely followed young Canadian attackers in MLS.
Jules-Anthony Vilsaint Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Jules-Anthony Vilsaint was born on January 6, 2003, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He is Canadian by nationality and grew up in a city with a deep tradition of producing top-level soccer talent. From an early age, his athletic profile suggested a future in the sport, particularly given his height and frame, which would later become central to his playing style as a professional.
Vilsaint began playing organized youth soccer at the age of four, joining his first club, CS Delta Laval. He later moved on to CS St-Laurent, where he continued his development through the club’s youth system. He then spent time with CS Panellinios, a Montreal-area club known for its strong Greek-Canadian soccer community, before his performances began to attract attention from professional academies in Europe.
Path to Soccer
In 2020, at the age of 17, Vilsaint made the move to Europe to pursue a professional career. He initially trained with the reserve team of French club Lille, where he began transitioning from a midfield role into a centre-forward position. His time in France helped him adjust to the tactical and physical demands of European football and gave him exposure to high-level coaching.
In March 2021, Vilsaint signed a four-year contract with Belgian club Antwerp, a step that firmly established him within a professional academy environment. He continued to develop as both a forward and a winger, and the experience in Belgium’s competitive youth and reserve structures prepared him for his eventual move to senior football in 2022.
Jules-Anthony Vilsaint Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Vilsaint began his senior career in 2022 with Royal Antwerp II in the Belgian National Division 1, the third tier of Belgian football. During his time with the reserve side, he made ten appearances and scored one goal, providing him with regular minutes against senior opposition. Off-the-field complications, rather than injuries, were reported to have limited parts of his game time during this period.
His spell in Belgium, although brief, allowed him to adapt to the physical and tactical demands of European senior football. It also set the stage for his return to North America, where he would soon make his mark in Major League Soccer.
CF Montréal Breakthrough (2023–2025)
In February 2023, Vilsaint joined CF Montréal of Major League Soccer on a two-year contract, with option years built in for 2025 and 2026. The deal also included a sell-on clause for his former club, Antwerp. He also featured briefly for CF Montréal U23 during the same year, helping bridge the gap between the club’s development setup and its first team.
Vilsaint made his MLS debut on May 31, 2023, against D.C. United, marking a major milestone in his young career. Later that season, 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. These moments established him as a young attacker with real potential within the Canadian soccer landscape.
Toronto FC Era (2025–Present)
In August 2025, Vilsaint was traded to Toronto FC, with CF Montréal receiving up to $275,000 in General Allocation Money in exchange, along with midfielder Matty Longstaff heading the other way. The move signalled a new chapter for the young forward as he joined one of Canada’s most historic MLS clubs.
At Toronto FC, Vilsaint continues to play as a forward and attacking midfielder, bringing his combination of size, pace, and versatility to a new attacking group. His development within the club is expected to be a key storyline heading into the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond.
Driving Style and Strengths
Originally developed as a midfielder, Vilsaint transitioned into a centre-forward role during his time with Lille, while also regularly playing as a winger for Antwerp. He is described as a physically gifted player, combining impressive pace with his tall stature, and he is comfortable operating in a variety of attacking positions across the front line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Vilsaint’s career include his professional debut with Royal Antwerp II in 2022, his MLS debut for CF Montréal on May 31, 2023, and his first MLS goal against the Columbus Crew on September 2, 2023. His August 2025 trade to Toronto FC stands as another major moment, marking his transition to a second Canadian MLS club in just two seasons.
Jules-Anthony Vilsaint Career Wins
As a young player still in the early stages of his professional career, Jules-Anthony Vilsaint’s on-field achievements to this point have been measured more in milestones and development than in silverware. His career wins are primarily individual in nature, reflecting his growth through the ranks and his growing impact at the MLS level.
Senior Team Highlights
With Royal Antwerp II, Vilsaint recorded one goal in ten appearances during the 2022–2023 campaign in the Belgian third tier. With CF Montréal, he made his MLS debut in 2023 and scored his first senior goal in North America against the Columbus Crew, marking a personal breakthrough in one of the league’s most competitive environments.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his club goals, Vilsaint’s selection to provisional international squads for both Haiti and Canada at youth level reflects strong recognition of his talent. Being named to Canada’s provisional squad for the 2021 Gold Cup, the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, and a Canada U20 camp further underline his status as one of the more promising young Canadian attackers of his generation.
Jules-Anthony Vilsaint Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Jules-Anthony Vilsaint was raised in Montreal, Quebec, in a family with clear ties to the sport. His younger brother, Jaylen-Andre Vilsaint, is also a competitive soccer player. The siblings’ shared dedication to professional football reflects a family environment that has supported athletic development from an early age.
Personal Life
Jaylen-Andre Vilsaint plays for the Torreense U19 team in Portugal and has represented Haiti at the Under-20 level. The brothers’ parallel paths in the sport highlight a family connection to soccer that continues to influence Jules-Anthony’s professional journey.
Jules-Anthony Vilsaint International Career
Vilsaint is eligible to represent both Canada and Haiti at the international level. In 2019, he was named to a preliminary squad for the Haiti U17 side ahead of the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, although he was not included in the final tournament squad.
He was later named in Canada’s provisional squad for the 2021 Gold Cup, invited to a Canada U20 camp in April 2022 (which he did not attend), and included in Canada’s provisional squad for the 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. These call-ups underline his standing within the Canadian youth setup and his potential future role with the senior national team.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Jules-Anthony Vilsaint. After spending the first half of the campaign with CF Montréal, he was traded to Toronto FC in August, joining his new club mid-season and looking to make an immediate impact in the attacking third.
At Toronto FC, Vilsaint is expected to compete for minutes as a forward and attacking midfielder, offering the coaching staff a versatile, physical option across the front line. His combination of size, pace, and experience in both European and MLS football gives him a strong foundation to build on as he adapts to a new team environment.
With several matches still to play in the 2025 MLS season, the focus for Vilsaint will be on establishing himself within Toronto FC’s attacking rotation and continuing his development as one of Canada’s emerging young soccer talents. His progress through the remainder of the year will be an important indicator of his long-term trajectory at the MLS level.