Cavalry FC has signed a pair of local players, Victor Loturi and Daniel Kaiser -- both from Calgary -- to CPL-U SPORTS contracts for the 2021 Canadian Premier League season. Loturi was selected sixth overall by Cavalry in the 2021 CPL U-SPORTS Draft, and invited to preseason training to compete for a U-SPORTS Development Contract for the upcoming season. Kaiser was undrafted, but was also given an invitation, and also won himself a U-SPORTS Development Contract. A U-SPORTS Development Contract allows student-athletes to sign with a CPL club and play over the summer, but preserve their university soccer eligibility before returning to U-SPORTS competition during the school year.
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Loturi has played for Cavalry FC before, signing as a 17-year-old before the inaugural 2019 season. Now 20, the midfielder has since gone to Mount Royal University in Calgary, where he's studying physical literacy. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he is yet to have an opportunity to take the pitch for the university, but Cavalry still like what they see in the youngster. “Victor is a talented and hungry young player with a big upside," said Cavalry head coach and general manager Tommy Wheeldon Jr. "We love his engine in midfield and his bravery to want the ball in tight spaces. Given that he’s already been around our squad for a while having been a part of the 2019 group, is a huge benefit to our club and he is continuing to mature all the time. Through the U Sports partnership, we can ensure he is able to pursue his playing career and an education at the same time.” He spent some time with the Calgary Foothills prior to joining the club in 2019, and made four appearances for Cavalry during his first stint, two in the CPL and two in the Canadian Championship. The club have also signed fullback Daniel Kaiser to a U-SPORTS Contract for the 2021 season. The 21-year-old also spent some time with the Calgary Foothills before going to the University of British Columbia, where he studies psychology. He was invited to preseason training and put up a strong performance, earning himself a contract with the club. "Daniel is an athletic fullback that is good defending in a 1v1 situation and possesses a great engine to get forward and join the attack," said Wheeldon Jr. "He’s a player that I’ve worked with previously when at Foothills together and it’s great to see that he has really blossomed into a fine young leader with infectious energy and enthusiasm.” His brother Markus, who also plays for UBC, was training with Cavalry in preseason as well. With the two signings, the club now has 22 players under contract for the 2021 season, which kicks off next week. They have one open roster spot left to work with.
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