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.

At just 16, T.J. Tahid is no ordinary teenager.

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.”