Cape Breton University soccer draws talent from around the globe

Deano Morley has built one of Canada’s top university soccer programs by recruiting talent from around the world to Cape Breton Island.

Originally from Nottingham, England, Morley joined the Capers as a player in 2004 and has served as head coach since 2014. Under his leadership, Cape Breton University has captured seven of 12 Atlantic University Sport titles and two national championships.

“I'm able to bring great people together from around the world to form incredible friendships for life and see them enjoy the journey along the way through the game of football,” Morley says.

This season’s conference-winning roster features 12 international players from seven countries — including New Zealand, Scotland, Israel and Kenya — far above the U Sports average of three. The second-ranked Capers are in Victoria this week for the national tournament, moving to the consolation round after a first-round loss to the University of Alberta on Thursday.

Left to right: Harvey Hughes and Jamie Nicholson accept the 2026 Atlantic University Sport men's soccer banner. (Image courtesy of Teena Campbell/Cape Breton University)

Morley says many of his recruits dominated at home before realizing a pro career was out of reach, making CBU a leap of faith across the globe.

“It's a very cruel sport and one per cent make it to the professional level and then a lot of lads are left not knowing what they're going to do in life,” he says. “So to have a second chance to be in a full-time sport environment where they can mix education and sport, grow as people is massive, but they have to be brave enough to do that and it can be daunting.”

Morley credits the university and his coaching staff for helping student athletes away from home feel comfortable