T.J. Tahid: The 16-year-old Canadian prodigy with eyes on European football.
The remarkably grounded young talent at Vancouver FC has set his sights on an illustrious career and doesn’t shy away from admitting his admiration for Arsenal.
- At just 16, T.J. Tahid has already signed a professional contract with Vancouver FC, surprising both his teachers and peers.
- Despite his early success, Tahid remains remarkably grounded and values humility, thanks in part to the guidance of his father.
- With lofty ambitions for his career, Tahid dreams of playing for a top European club like Arsenal in the near future.
![T.J. TAHID, A SOCCER PRO AT 16, STAYS GROUNDED The Globe and Mail (Ottawa/Quebec Edition)26 Aug 2023CATHAL KELLY PHOTO ILLUSTRATION THE GLOBE AND MAIL. SOURCE PHOTO BEAU CHEVALIER/VANCOUVER FC The future is bright for Canadian player who turned pro at 16 with Vancouver FC. But he won’t brag about it Every once in a while, a teacher at Vancouver’s Maple Ridge Secondary will approach T.J. Tahid and ask him about sports. He’s a strapping young guy. Maybe he’d be interested in trying out for track, or basketball, or anything really? Tahid, a Grade 10 student, lets them down easy. “I tell them I’m actually a professional player.” And they say? “Oh wow. That’s cool.” Tahid signed his first contract with Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League this year. He did it two weeks after his 16th birthday. He made his debut the next day. Though still preposterously young, his coach, Afshin Ghotbi, believes he has the ability “to reach the highest level of the global game.” Tahid says his five-year plan is to be playing at a top European team (his personal preference – Arsenal. But he’ll settle for Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund). That’s tomorrow. Today, he may be the only pro in the world who still has to share a bedroom with his little brother. What’s your idea of perfect happiness? See everyone in the world peaceful. No wars. Everyone’s just happy all the time. No drama. Your greatest fear? Losing my family. What’s something about yourself you dislike? My eyesight in my right eye. There’s a problem with it? It’s just not as good as the left eye. What do you dislike in others? I don’t like people who brag; who are too boastful. I like humble people. What living person do you most admire? My dad. He’s been my coach, helps me with school. He helps me with everything. What’s your greatest extravagance? Shoes. Tell me about these shoes. I have a small collection right now, but I have money coming in so it’s more tempting to keep buying. I had some come in last night. I like shoes. What came in last night? The Nike Hot Step Air Terra NOC-TA – Drake’s shoe. How much are we talking? Two fifty. That seems pretty reasonable. Is there a word or phrase you think you overuse? Yo. Saying ‘yo’ all the time. Like, ‘Yo, come here.’ Or, ‘Yo, what’s the name of that?’ When and where were you happiest? Back home in my dad’s village [in Ghana]. I see a bunch of people living – not in poverty, but not as well as I’ve lived, and I see how happy they are. That makes me happy and grateful for all the things I have. What talent would you most like to have? Maybe magic? Being a magician. What do you consider your greatest achievement? So far? Youngest signing in CPL history. Youngest goal scorer. Starter, team of the week … Basically youngest everything. Yeah, I guess. Where would you most like to live? I’m happy with where I live. B.C.’s beautiful. So, yeah, I like here. Do you have a room in your parents’ house or …? I share with my brother still. What’s your brother’s name? Jamil. We share. He’s 12. Turning 13 this year. That’s a difficult age to live with. Yeah. What’s your most treasured possession? The jersey I debuted in. What do you most value in a friend? Trust. Loyalty. What are your favourite names? My favourite name is – I don’t know if you’ve seen it – it was like a video, longest name in Africa is Ovuvuevuevue Enyetuenwuevue Ugbemugbem Osas. That’s probably my favourite name. Is there a historical figure you identify with? I like a lot of the Black historical figures in the sixties and seventies – Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, those guys. Favourite fictional hero? Superman. What’s your motto? All day I train football; all night I dream about football.](https://dailycannon.com/static/uploads/1/2023/08/the-globe-and-mail-tahid-arsenal-e1693126688280.png "Canadian prodigy targets Arsenal transfer, would also consider Real Madrid 2")
While most of his age-mates are engrossed in school activities, Tahid is already making waves in professional football.
This young Canadian has just inked a deal with Vancouver FC in the Canadian Premier League, and remarkably, he’s managed to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground.
Teachers at Vancouver’s Maple Ridge Secondary School are often surprised when they find out that T.J. Tahid, a Grade 10 student, is already a professional footballer. But the young talent doesn’t let their amazement get to him.
“My teachers usually suggest other sports like track or basketball, but when I tell them I’m a professional player, they’re impressed but try to act cool about it,” Tahid said.
His aspirations are not confined to Canadian soil. While he’s made an impressive start at Vancouver FC, Tahid dreams of playing for a top European club. “My five-year plan is to be at a team like Arsenal, but I’d also consider Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund,” he reveals.
The teenager’s maturity is also reflected in his attitudes off the pitch. He remains grounded, valuing humility and dismissing ostentatious behaviour. “I don’t like people who brag; who are too boastful. I like humble people,” says Tahid.
Tahid, who still shares a room with his 12-year-old brother Jamil, has an extensive support network. His father plays a pivotal role as both a coach and mentor. “My dad helps me with everything, he’s the living person I admire most,” Tahid emphasises.
His sense of humility extends to material things. Despite recently signing a lucrative contract, Tahid has not gone on a spending spree. “I have a small collection of shoes, and although I could buy more, I try to keep my expenditures reasonable,” he notes.
The young talent is not only a source of pride for his family but also for the Canadian Premier League.
His coach, Afshin Ghotbi, believes Tahid could reach “the highest level of the global game.”