Sébastian Breza Bio
Sebastian Jean-Baptiste Breza (born March 15, 1998) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club CF Montréal. Standing 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) tall, he has built his career across Italian, Swiss, and North American soccer, becoming a reliable presence between the posts. His journey from youth soccer in Canada to top-flight professional leagues in Europe and MLS has shaped him into an internationally experienced goalkeeper.
Early Life and Background
Sebastian Jean-Baptiste Breza was born on March 15, 1998, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He was born to a Polish father and a Norwegian mother, and holds dual citizenship with Canada and Norway, giving him a broad cultural and athletic background. Growing up in the Ottawa area, he was introduced to organized soccer at age nine when he joined FS Salaberry. He later moved to CS Sainte-Julie, where he continued to develop his skills as a young goalkeeper during his formative years.
As a youth, Breza was a multi-sport athlete, playing goaltender in both hockey and soccer, an unusual combination that helped sharpen his hand-eye coordination and reaction time. His size and athletic instincts made the goalkeeper position a natural fit, and he focused increasingly on soccer as he progressed through local and regional programs. These early years laid the foundation for a career that would soon take him abroad.
Path to Professional Soccer
Breza’s path to professional soccer accelerated in 2014 when, at 16, he moved to Italy to join the youth system of Serie C club Monopoli. In 2016, he signed a professional contract with Monopoli, marking the formal start of his senior career. That same year, he was called up to his first camp with the Canadian U-20 team, an early sign that his development was being noticed at the national level.
In 2017, Breza was loaned to Serie A side Palermo, where he initially featured for the Primavera youth squad. Although he did not make a first-team league appearance, he was named to the bench on three occasions during the 2016-17 Serie A season, giving him valuable exposure to the demands of top-flight Italian soccer. That experience proved instrumental as he prepared for the next stage of his career.
Sébastian Breza Career
Early Career (2016-2020)
After his loan spell at Palermo, Breza signed with Serie D club Potenza in 2017. During his time there, he played a key role in helping the club earn promotion to Serie C for the 2018-19 season. In his second season with Potenza, he served mainly as a backup to goalkeeper Raffaele Ioime but still made eight starts, demonstrating his readiness when called upon.
By January 2020, his performances in Serie C had drawn the attention of top-tier clubs. On January 29, 2020, he joined Serie A club Bologna on loan until June 30, 2020, with Bologna holding an obligation to purchase his rights at the end of the loan. The move represented a major step up and cemented his place in Italian professional soccer.
Bologna Breakthrough (2020-2023)
At Bologna, Breza continued to develop within a Serie A environment, training with established professionals and refining his craft. On April 6, 2021, he was loaned to Major League Soccer’s CF Montréal for the 2021 season, opening the door to a new chapter in his career. He made his MLS debut on August 8, 2021, against D.C. United.
His most memorable early moment in Montréal came in the semifinal of the 2021 Canadian Championship against Forge FC. After a 0-0 draw through 90 minutes, the match went to penalties, and the shootout remained tied after ten rounds. Breza stopped a shot from Forge goalkeeper Triston Henry and then converted his own attempt to send Montréal to the final. CF Montréal went on to win the Voyageurs Cup, and Breza was honored with the George Gross Memorial Trophy as the tournament’s most valuable player.
Following the 2021 season, CF Montréal announced they would not exercise the option to purchase his contract, but in January 2022, the club brought him back on loan for another season. In January 2023, he was loaned to Italian Serie C side Carrarese until the end of the season, and on July 12, 2023, he joined Swiss Super League club Yverdon on a season-long loan, broadening his experience across multiple European leagues.
CF Montréal Era (2024-Present)
On January 15, 2024, Breza made his move to CF Montréal permanent, signing a two-year deal with the club. The agreement gave him long-term stability in Major League Soccer and confirmed his role as a key part of the team’s goalkeeping corps. His familiarity with the club, its staff, and its style of play allowed him to settle in quickly.
In 2024, he continued to feature for the Canadian Championship holders, and after the 2025 season, Breza signed a two-year extension with the club, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season, with club options for 2028 and 2029. The extension reflected the trust the organization placed in his leadership between the posts.
Playing Style and Strengths
Breza combines his tall 1.93 m frame with sharp reflexes, a quality sharpened during his years playing goaltender in hockey as a youth. He is comfortable commanding his penalty area, organizing his defense, and making decisive saves in one-on-one situations. His calm demeanor and consistent shot-stopping have earned him a reputation as a composed and reliable goalkeeper.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Breza’s career are his role in Potenza’s promotion to Serie C, his three first-team bench appearances for Palermo during the 2016-17 Serie A season, and his heroics in the 2021 Canadian Championship. His George Gross Memorial Trophy stands as a defining individual honor, marking him as one of the standout performers in that tournament.
Sébastian Breza Career Wins
Across his senior career, Breza has contributed to team success at multiple levels, including promotion campaigns in Italy and cup victories in North America. His most prominent club trophy came with CF Montréal’s 2021 Voyageurs Cup triumph, paired with his individual George Gross Memorial Trophy.
CF Montréal Highlights
Breza was central to CF Montréal’s 2021 Canadian Championship victory, delivering a memorable performance in the semifinal shootout against Forge FC and starting in the final. His leadership in goal during the tournament earned him the George Gross Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player, cementing his status as a fan favorite in Montréal.
Other Wins and Performances
In Italy, Breza was part of Potenza’s squad that earned promotion from Serie D to Serie C, an important achievement in his early professional career. He also contributed to Bologna’s goalkeeping depth during a competitive period for the Serie A club, gaining experience at the highest level of Italian football.
Sébastian Breza Family
Family Background and Heritage
Sebastian Jean-Baptiste Breza was born to a Polish father and a Norwegian mother, which gave him a multicultural upbringing rooted in Central and Northern European traditions. This heritage also granted him dual citizenship with Canada and Norway, providing him with international eligibility options in his soccer career.
Personal Life
Public information about Breza’s personal life, including marital status and family, is limited. He has been based in Montréal during his time with CF Montréal, where he has continued to build his professional soccer career.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Breza continued his role as a starting goalkeeper for CF Montréal in Major League Soccer, building on the momentum from his 2024 permanent signing. The club’s decision to extend his contract through 2027, with options for 2028 and 2029, signaled confidence in his long-term contribution to the team’s defensive structure.
Throughout the season, Breza’s familiarity with the club’s coaching staff and defensive setup allowed him to maintain consistent performances. His leadership in goal and composure in high-pressure moments remained valuable assets as CF Montréal pursued both league and Canadian Championship ambitions.
Looking ahead, Breza’s contract extension provides stability and signals a continued role as a central figure in the team’s goalkeeping plans. With a clear outlook through at least 2027, he is positioned to remain a key contributor for CF Montréal in the seasons to come.